Nick Vadis, culinary director for Compass Group UK & Ireland, received the Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2022 Foodservice Cateys, recognising the legion of chefs he has mentored and inspired during an illustrious career.
As well as providing culinary direction for Compass Group and transforming catering within the NHS, Vadis has played a significant part in the progress of thousands of chefs through his work with culinary competitions like Salon Culinaire, along with establishing apprenticeships and training programmes and with numerous individual mentorships.
Robin Mills, managing director of Compass Group UK & Ireland said of his achievements: “Food is at the heart of all that he does. He is passionate about training and supporting chefs at all levels whether in our business or the wider industry.”
The Royal Lancaster London played host to the foodservice industry nominees on 21 October. Vadis was honoured alongside Gregory De La Peña-Hall of BM, who was posthumously announced as the recipient of the Extra Mile Award in recognition of his work as a passionate advocate for equality, diversity and inclusivity within the catering industry.
In a tribute to De La Peña-Hall BM said: "Gregory was incredibly positive and committed. He was never afraid to stand up for his beliefs and he has left a lasting legacy at BM and in the wider hospitality industry.”
The evening’s other winners included Eurest, which won three Foodservice Cateys, being named Business and Industry Caterer of the Year, as well as picking up the CSER award and seeing Rees Bramwell named as Healthy Eating Champion.
Houston & Hawkes was named Boutique Caterer of the Year, as well as seeing its director of food David Steel named Chef of the Year. There were also two award winners from Aramark, with Nicola Collinson named General Manager of the Year and Amanda Ciraulo salesperson of the year.
Regional Manager of the Year went to Natasha Boshoff of BM, with her colleague Michaela Mulvey securing the Innovation Award in recognition of her work to attract new recruits using social media platform TikTok.
Meanwhile, Searcys was named the Event Caterer of the Year, Front of House Team of the Year went to Green & Fortune, and the Rising Star Award was presented to Jess Savva of Amadeus.
CSER Award, sponsored by Nestle Coffee Partners Eurest
Best Use of Technology Award, sponsored by CH&Co Group Chartwells
Innovation Award, sponsored by RDA (Restaurant Design Associates) Michaela Mulvey, BM
People and Training Award, sponsored by Unilever FairKitchens ESS People Team
Front of House Team of the Year, sponsored by Indeed Flex Green & Fortune
Supplier Excellence Award Collectiv Food
Healthy Eating Champion, sponsored by Brother Rees Bramwell, Eurest
Chef Manager of the Year, sponsored by Middleton Foods Michael Hannon, Signature Dining
Salesperson of the Year, sponsored by Dynamify Amanda Ciraulo, Aramark
Chef of the Year, sponsored by P&G Professional David Steel, Houston & Hawkes
Rising Star Award, sponsored by Matthew Algie (part of Tchibo) Jess Savva, Amadeus
General Manager of the Year, sponsored by Franke Coffee Systems Nicola Collinson, Aramark
Regional Manager of the Year, sponsored by Valentine Natasha Boshoff, BM
Education Caterer of the Year, sponsored by Spoonfed Taylor Shaw
Healthcare Caterer of the Year, sponsored by Bidfood Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Neller Davies and BM
Business and Industry Caterer of the Year, sponsored by Franke Coffee Systems Eurest
Boutique Caterer of the Year, sponsored by Franke Coffee Systems Houston & Hawkes
Event Caterer of the Year, sponsored by the Simple Root Searcys
Retail and Leisure Caterer of the Year, sponsored by Britvic Sodexo Live
Extra Mile Award, sponsored by Caterer.com Gregory De La Peña-Hall
Outstanding Contribution Award, sponsored by Aramark Nick Vadis
Additional sponsors
Supporting partner: COREcruitment
Soft drinks supplied by Britvic
Water supplied by Ty Nant