KP of the Year returns for 2022

The KP of the Year competition is back and open for entries in all sectors of the industry.

One lucky kitchen porter could win a prize package that includes the coveted KP of the Year trophy, a piece of Winterhalter kit worth up to £8,000 for the winning KP's employer and £1,000 cash and a celebratory meal with friends and family in a casual-dining restaurant of the KP's choice.

Organised by The Caterer and launched in partnership with warewash specialist Winterhalter in 2013, the KP of the Year competition has attracted hundreds of entries and is back to recognise the unsung heroes of the kitchen brigade.

Davie Fleetham, BaxterStorey's kitchen assistant at the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) site in Edinburgh, won the competition in 2019. His winning tactics included supporting the team by baking bread and scones for customers, helping with breakfasts and working on the counters during holiday periods.

The veteran ex-forces kitchen assistant was also awarded a RBS Dedication to the Business award and was described by his head chef Jim Jawor as a "kitchen angel”.

Fleetham was voted for unanimously by the KP of the Year judges, and impressed with his dedication to his team, with one judge describing him as a "legend".

Stephen Kinkead, managing director of Winterhalter UK, said: “We could never have imagined how strong this competition would become when we first came up with the idea nine years ago. Given the current staffing climate it has never been more important to acknowledge our KPs.

“Our previous winner, Davie, shone through from the beginning as a real trouper, someone the entire team respects and recognises. He is the epitome of what a winner should be.”

Lisa Jenkins, managing editor of The Caterer and chair of judges, added: “This year the judges will be looking for KPs who stand out from the crowd, allowing us to create a top 10 of super-KPs, which we will whittle down to one standout star. This KP will make life easier for everyone, is someone who has the team at their heart and can inspire the whole brigade. It’s a massive prize for the individual and the kitchen and it would be wonderful to see more females in the mix.

“The judges look for kitchen porters who demonstrate that they are going above and beyond their day job, with good integration within the front of house and kitchen teams, and evidence of 'going the extra mile'."

Every kitchen porter put forward will receive a KP of the Year bespoke Oliver Hardy apron from Winterhalter UK and the three highly commended KPs will also receive a cash prize.

To enter the competition, click here here