Rick Razza honoured with top BaxterStorey foodservice award for developing chefs’ training academy

Rick Razza head of chef development at foodservice giant BaxterStorey led the award winners at the group's annual awards for his role in assisting hundreds of people progress in the hospitality industry.

He received the prestigious BaxterStorey Award for helping to found the firm’s in-house chefs’ training academy and he was commended for the AmazingAlice charity which he launched in memory of his daughter.

The presentation of the accolade was the highlight of the BaxterStorey’s awards ceremony, held at 116 Pall Mall London, to celebrate the talented teams and individuals who delivered exemplary service to its clients over the past year.

Razza said: “Thank you all so much. It has been an incredible journey and I have loved every minute of it. I have always said I love this business and BaxterStorey has given me the best platform to work on. I have a great team that I work with every day and without them I would not be stood up here today. Thank you to everyone that has come through the Chef’s Academy, without your support it would be impossible to do what we do.”

Razza was one of 11 winners at the presentation dinner. Other award categories included kitchen porter of the year won by Lamin Bojang for being a previously unsung hero of his kitchen at Law firm Addleshaw Goddard.

The Community Award for generous individuals who donate their time to charitable causes was won by Sam Wood, a catering assistant at Glasgow College and ambassador for Down’s Syndrome Scotland. She was included on the BBC 100 Women 2018 list of the most inspiring and influential women around the world.

Scott Dineen was name Chef of the Year. Since joining BaxterStorey in 2014 he has progressed from senior sous to executive chef of hospitality. It has been an eventful 12 months after being shortlisted for the Foodservice Cateys Chef of the Year 2019 award.