KP of the Year winners reflect on competition’s career boost

Winners from the first decade of the Kitchen Porter of the Year competition have revealed how their victories have advanced their career paths.

With nominations for the 2024 edition, organised by The Caterer in partnership with warewasher specialist Winterhalter, now open, previous kitchen porter (KP) champions have lined up to laud the award.

In 2022, Michael Toader, head KP of the Victory Services Club in London (pictured), took the crown, and the recognition has since prompted further career progression for him. He now also covers a breakfast chef role at the weekend and assists events during the week, in addition to his KP duties.

He said: “I felt very proud winning KP of the Year and pleased the kitchen porter team at the Victory Services Club had been recognised for their hard work and dedication. My family in Romania were delighted with the news.

“The news of my win was circulated around the club and I feel it helped to gain further respect from myself and colleagues. We have a sustainability programme at the club and with the motivation this award gave me I have also gone on to lead a group of volunteers from the Club’s wider team to improve our Roof Garden offer.”

Regarding the contest itself, he said: “My colleagues in the kitchen take a great deal of pride in our work and I am glad there is a competition that highlights KPs’ work behind the scenes and brings it to the forefront of the hospitality industry.”

Looking further back into the winners’ roster, 2016’s top KP, Mick Dunn from Red Carnation’s Rubens at the Palace, Hotel 41 and Bbar in London, feels his victory is a cherished badge of honour. Malcolm Hendry, general manager at the hotel, nominated Dunn for the award and said: “It goes beyond recognition from peers and industry experts, filling him with a profound sense of pride.

“This acknowledgment affirms the value of his contributions to the seamless functioning of the kitchen and this accolade has not only elevated Mick’s importance within the world of hospitality but has also illuminated the crucial role of kitchen heroes like him.”

Nominations for the 2024 award will close on Friday 30 August, after which, 10 KPs will be selected to make a shortlist for the award, before the successful KP is chosen by an expert judging panel.

The 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 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 put forward will also receive a KP of the Year bespoke Oliver Hardy apron from Winterhalter UK and three highly commended KPs will also receive vouchers to spend on hospitality experiences.

To enter, click here.