KP of the Year 2024 top 10 revealed

The Kitchen Porter (KP) of the Year 2024 finalists have now been determined.

The judges of the competition, organised by The Caterer in association with warewasher manufacturer Winterhalter UK, whittled down a vast list of worthy candidates to arrive at the top 10 kitchen porters in the UK for 2024.

The finalists represent those KPs 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 foodservice caterers to Michelin-starred establishments, with colleagues celebrating the KPs who really go the extra mile to contribute to the efficient working of their site.

The top 10 of KPs of the Year 2024

This year’s finalists are:

Hugh Beaumont, head kitchen porter, Westberry hotel

Cirilo Bomaba Moche, steward, the Balmoral hotel

Leszek Dajnowicz, kitchen porter manager, the Belfry Hotel & Resort

Geoff Goater, kitchen porter, Rick Stein Group

Sammar Gurung, head kitchen porter, the Bath Priory

Austin Ottolorin, head kitchen porter, BM Caterers

Izaias Pereira De Oliveira, kitchen porter, Gaucho Restaurants

Marito Pires De Sousa, kitchen porter, Mollie’s Motels

Richard Plewes, kitchen porter, Cedar Court Hotels

Jaroslav Semkovych, kitchen porter, the Connaught

The judging panel (pictured) for the 2024 KP of the Year comprised Paul Mattocks, executive chef, Victory Services Club; Matthew Marshall, executive chef, RAC Club; Dominic Teague, executive chef, One Aldwych; Simon Young, founder, Simon Young Culinary Solutions and Stephen Kinkead, managing director, Winterhalter UK. The judging session was chaired by The Caterer’s products and suppliers reporter, Clare Nicholls.

Winterhalter’s Kinkead said: “The standard this year been exceptional, so much so that even really good KPs were scoring six out of 10. Looking back, those entries could have won 10 years ago.

“Now an outstanding KP has to be involved in everything from COSHH to biodiversity. They’ve got to be able to demonstrate how they save businesses money or provide a commercial return.

“Three of the entrants really stood out this year and any of them could have been the winner; there was literally half a point between the winner and the runners up!”

He added: “We’re so proud to have originated the idea of KP of the Year 10 years ago. We have continually refined the questions we ask nominators to complete, and now we have everything just right. Ten years ago, we might have had 100 words about an individual, now we get chapter and verse! Those writing the entries are as passionate about their KP as the KP is about their job.”

The KP of the Year 2024 will win a prize package that includes the coveted KP of the Year trophy, a piece of Winterhalter kit worth up to £10,000 for the winning KP’s employer, £1,000 in vouchers and a celebratory meal with friends and family in a casual dining restaurant of the KP’s choice.

Every KP who entered will receive a KP of the Year bespoke Oliver Hardy apron from Winterhalter UK and two highly commended KPs will also receive vouchers to spend on hospitality experiences.

The winner and highly commended KPs will be revealed soon.