KP of the Year 2023: Top 10 kitchen porters named

The judges of the KP of the Year competition, organised by The Caterer in association with warewash manufacturer Winterhalter UK, have announced the top 10 kitchen porters in the UK for 2023.

The list represents those who are going above and beyond to support their teams and ensure the smooth operation of professional kitchens.

Entries were received from all sectors of the industry, from school kitchens to Michelin-starred establishments, with colleagues celebrating the KPs who go above and beyond to contribute to the efficient working of their site.

The top 10 finalists of KP of the Year 2023

• Elisabetta Cenderello, kitchen porter, 21 Hospitality Group
• Trevor Cotton, kitchen porter, Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Manchester
• Adrian Glass, kitchen porter, the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath
• Geoff Goater, kitchen porter, Rick Stein Winchester
• Consti Istrate, kitchen porter supervisor, Manchester Central Convention Complex
• Daniel Kassaye Melese, senior steward, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London
• Mark Leishman, deputy chief steward, the Montague on the Gardens Hotel, London
• Alex Maphalala, Health Service Laboratories, BaxterStorey
• Micheal Neve, kitchen porter, Tallow, Tunbridge Wells
• Declan Quinn, kitchen porter supervisor, Gleneagles, Auchterarder

Winterhalter UK managing director Stephen Kinkead said: “Without doubt this was the toughest year yet in terms of judging, with outstanding entries from all over the UK. Huge congratulations to the top ten – you are the best of a very, very strong field.”

The judging panel for the 2023 KP of the Year included Lisa Jenkins, chief executive of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, Matthew Marshall, executive chef Royal Automobile Club, Paul Mattocks, executive chef at the Victory Services Club, Ben Murphy, chef patron at Launceston Place and Stephen Kinkead, managing director, Winterhalter UK.

This year, the judges will announce a winner and two runners up with a cash prize arranged for all. Every KP who entered the competition will receive an Oliver Hardy KP of the Year branded apron in recognition of their duties in their kitchens.

The overall winner will receive a prize package that includes the coveted KP of the Year trophy, a piece of Winterhalter kit worth up to £10,000 for their employer, £1,000 in vouchers and a celebratory meal with friends and family in a casual-dining restaurant of the KP's choice.