Care catering’s ‘unsung heroes’ honoured at the NACC Awards 2019

The National Association of Care Catering (NACC) celebrated outstanding contributions to the care catering sector at the NACC Awards 2019 last night.

The winners of the prestigious awards, which recognise teams and individuals from across the sector that demonstrate innovation, excellence and dedication in their field, were announced at a gala awards dinner at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham.

The special event was attended by the NACC’s members, patrons and ambassadors together with industry colleagues, partners and guests.

The 2019 NACC Award winners included:

• Care Establishment of the Year Award, sponsored by Hobart: Ferndown Manor, Care UK
• Meals on Wheels Award, sponsored by Apetito: County Enterprise Foods Nottinghamshire County Council
• Catering Team of the Year Award, sponsored by Brakes: Soil Association, Food for Life; Getting together through food
• Catering Manager of the Year Award, sponsored by Unilever Food Solutions: Adriano Carvalho, head chef, Gracewell of Newbury
• Our Care Catering Hero Award, sponsored by Premier Foods: Ivan Nobrega, service driver, Apetito
• Region of the Year Award, sponsored by Meiko: North Region
• Pam Rhodes Outstanding Achievement Award: Berenice Pretlove

NACC chairman Neel Radia awarded his Chairman’s Award to Adam Michallat-Cox who, as well as holding regional and national positions, working with and supporting the NACC, was a founder and now trustee of the Bristol Dementia Action Alliance.

Radia said: “It’s an absolute privilege to honour the hard work and vision of care catering professionals up and down the country. They really are unsung heroes. Their incredible work helps ensure individuals in a care environment receive the quality care they deserve. Through innovation and unwavering commitment, person-centred nutrition, hydration and wellbeing are always at the core of mealtimes, whatever challenges the sector faces. The awards have always been a personal highlight and celebrating our inspirational and deserved winners was a wonderful way to end my six-year tenure as NACC chairman.”