Foodservice Cateys 2025: Healthcare Caterer of the Year – Caterplus

Caterplus, part of the Elior Group, has excelled across multiple areas over the past year. The care and retirement sector caterer has not only tailored its offer to its audience, it has spearheaded important research in the sector too.

Among the innovations from Caterplus is its Tasty Delights food concept, consisting of small portions of fish and chips, roast dinners and tapas to help to maintain a person’s independence and provide a taste of something delicious without overwhelming smaller appetites.

It also launched Jolly Trolleys in nursing homes, a self-contained, mobile interactive entertainment trolley that brings music, song, reminiscence and fun to residents. The trolley uses interactive sensory tables, allowing residents to engage in more than 150 different activities, from painting flowers to taking part in quizzes, and is particularly aimed at people with dementia.

It also caters to those who require help while living in their own homes through its takeaway service, Chef at Home, where people can choose, order and pick up a meal.

Caterplus takes its responsibilities to the wider industry seriously, and its Future of Food report is a pioneering piece of research designed to revolutionise catering strategies in care and retirement living environments nationwide. The key objective was to provide insight into how people aged 45 and over want to live later in life, particularly in areas such as food and drink, social activities, technology and sustainability, and to use these insights to help the sector prepare for future challenges.

Continuing this holistic theme, it also hosted one of the Nestlé Toque d’Or Competition rounds this year in conjunction with the NHS client, nurturing up-and-coming young chefs and catering professionals into the industry.

Internally, Caterplus’s successes have been just as impressive, with three people taking part in the wider Elior UK mentoring scheme for women, ‘Womentoring’, which aims to promote gender diversity and support female employees in their career development. The programme pairs female mentees with established colleagues who serve as mentors.

Two of Caterplus’s senior managers are also taking part in the ‘Future Proof’ divisional director succession programme, gaining skills and knowledge to equip them for a potential divisional director role, ensuring succession planning, development and retention of talent.

The caterer has further proved its commitment to good causes, using CauliBox reusable takeaway food containers to significantly reduce the volume of 1.5m single-use containers used every year, as well as working with Too Good To Go, allowing any leftover food to be sold at a reduced price.

Caterplus’s multifaceted efforts have ensured it is a worthy winner of the Healthcare Caterer of the Year award.

Judges’ comments

“An outstanding entry with phenomenal results spanning many parts of the operation, from corporate, social and environmental responsibility to people to healthy eating. A great team effort and a worthy winner.” Gavin Gooddy

“Innovation runs across Caterplus, which was excellent to see. The sensory table stood out, as well as the wider community work and the difference made in the community, supporting charities.” Neel Radia

“Great innovations in so many areas, and it is proud of its focus on local and seasonal ingredients. Caterplus is inspiring, shaping strategy with its healthcare report.” Phil Shelley

The shortlist

• Caterplus
• OCS
• RFL Property Services
• St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

See previous winners of the award