Bidfood’s Andy Kemp leads The Caterer’s Supplier Awards 2025 winners

Bidfood’s executive director Andy Kemp scooped the Outstanding Supplier Personality of the Year accolade at The Caterer’s Supplier Awards 2025.

Kemp was recognised for a career championing causes that promote the hospitality industry and make a contribution to the wider world, working with industry bodies and charities with the positivity and enthusiasm that has become his trademark.

Hospitality Action chief executive Mark Lewis said: “I can think of no more worthy recipient of the inaugural Outstanding Supplier Personality Award than Bidfood UK’s Andy Kemp. Philanthropy courses through Andy’s veins, and Hospitality Action is just one of many charities to have benefitted from his generosity of spirit.”

The top gong was the culmination of the glittering awards ceremony celebrating the most innovative businesses in the hospitality supply chain, which took place today at One Moorgate Place, London.

A total of 19 trophies, including Drinks Brand of the Year and Warewasher Brand of the Year, were presented in front of an audience of the finest suppliers in hospitality. The shortlist and winners were judged by an expert panel of hospitality operators, giving suppliers a chance to get their brands in front of some top industry names.

Winners included the Burnt Chef Project for Community Campaign of the Year, and Maldon Salt, which won Food Brand of the Year.

Speaking as he accepted the Outstanding Supplier Personality of the Year award Andy Kemp said: “I’m truly honoured to be given this award. I retire from the industry at the end of April and I’ve had a simply terrific career.

“I’ve had a lot of fun and worked for many courageous and hardworking people – I’ve found huge enthusiasm from being able to give something back. As I reach the twilight of my career, I look back with great pride – there isn’t a better industry for anyone to work in.

“All of us in this room have amazing careers and are amazing businesses, I want to thank you for this award today. And I want to thank all of you in this room that have also given so much back to our industry and our charities.”

Clare Nicholls, product and suppliers reporter at The Caterer, who presented the awards, said: “Our new format Suppliers Awards really sparkled – it was a joyous event which celebrated the hospitality industry supply chain’s operator outreach and innovation. Congratulations to all of our worthy winners and I look forward to next year’s event when I’m sure the entry quality will be just as high.”

The winners

• Drinks Brand of the Year – Pip Organic
• Hot Beverage Brand of the Year – Taylors of Harrogate
• Beverage Equipment Brand of the Year – Carpigiani UK
• Light Equipment Brand of the Year – Valentine & CuisinEquip
• Cooking Equipment Brand of the Year – Unox UK
• Refrigerator Brand of the Year – Foster Refrigerator
• Warewasher Brand of the Year – Meiko
• Food Brand of the Year – Maldon Salt
• Food Wholesaler of the Year – Harlech Foodservice
• Equipment Wholesaler of the Year – Vision Commercial Kitchens
• Specialist Wholesaler of the Year – Freemans Event Partners
• Community Campaign of the Year – the Burnt Chef Project
• Sustainability Initiative of the Year – Food & Beverage – Marlish Waters
• Sustainability Initiative of the Year – Non-Food – Delphis Eco
• Booking, Ordering & Payment Solution of the Year – Profitroom
• Innovative Guest Experience of the Year – Lolly
• SME Brand of the Year – Pip Organic
• People Solution of the Year – A2H Solutions
• Outstanding Supplier Personality of the Year – Andy Kemp, Bidfood

To be the first to hear about the 2026 Supplier Awards, register your interest here