Simon Esner and Alison Gilbert take top awards at Foodservice Cateys 2017

WSH director Simon Esner and CH&Co Group HR director Alison Gilbert scooped the top accolades at the Foodservice Cateys 2017, which took place at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge tonight.

Esner won the Outstanding Contribution Award for his work both as a sales director at BaxterStorey as well as his commitment to industry charities Springboard and Hospitality Action, while Gilbert was recognised for her incredible people skills, her devotion to training and support of initiatives such as Nestle Toque d'Or.

Other winners included Business and Industry Caterer of the Year Genuine Dining Co, Chef of the Year (public site) Steve Groves of Roux at Parliament Square, London, and Training Award winner Rik Razza of BaxterStorey.

Presenting the award to Esner, Noel Mahony, chief executive officer of BaxterStorey, told an audience of 500 guests: "He is an avid sponsor of talent, lending his support to rising stars in the industry, and he has also been central to a number of high-profile deals in the restaurant sector.

"His colleagues love working with him because he cares so deeply about everything he does, but he also has a sense of fun and adventure which is highly infectious."

Gilbert was described as a hospitality professional at the top of her game. The Caterer deputy editor, James Stagg, said: "Her long career, strong operational background and passion for the sector has put her in a unique position to develop innovative practices that add real value to the business in which she works, and the people who work in it."

Winners in full:-

Catering Manager of the Year, sponsored by Bunzl Catering & Hospitality Division - Paul Bate, Amadeus

Healthy Eating Champion, sponsored by Amadeus - Sophie Murray, Sunrise Senior Living

Chef Manager of the Year, sponsored by Chef's Pass - Hanke Fischer, H+J

Regional Manager of the Year, sponsored by Cartwheel Recruitment - Marie Arthur, Sodexo

Front of House Team of the Year - Public Site, sponsored by Lusso - Roux at Parliament Square (Restaurant Associates)

Front of house Team of the Year - Private Site, sponsored by Admiral Recruitment - Gather & Gather at Vodafone

HR Award, sponsored by Caterer.com - Charlotte Hutchings, Gather & Gather

Procurement Team of the Year, sponsored by Bunzl Catering & Hospitality Division - Commercial Services at Surrey County Council

Salesperson of the Year, sponsored by Wilcox Burchmore - Duncan Kendall, Restaurant Associates

Training Award, sponsored by Johnsons Stalbridge - Rik Razza, BaxterStorey

CSR Award, sponsored by Franke Coffee Systems - Vacherin

Innovation Award, sponsored by Amadeus - Derbyshire County Council

Chef of the Year - Public Site, sponsored by Evolve Hospitality - Steve Groves, Roux at Parliament Square

Chef of the Year - Private Site, sponsored by Hotelympia - Dennis Mwakulua, Restaurant Associates

Healthcare Caterer of the Year, sponsored by Pelican Procurement - Gracewell Healthcare

Event Caterer of the Year, sponsored by Off to Work - Tapenade, Eventist Group

Education Caterer of the Year, sponsored by RDA (Restaurant Design Associates) - ISS Facility Services Education

Retail and Leisure Caterer of the Year, sponsored by Britvic - Jockey Club Catering

Business and Industry Caterer of the Year, sponsored by Franke Coffee Systems - The Genuine Dining Co

Extra Mile Award, sponsored by Bidfood - Alison Gilbert, CH&Co Group

Outstanding Contribution Award, sponsored by Premier Foods - Simon Esner, WSH