Bidfood reveals 2019 unsung hospitality heroes

From an NHS chef, to the manager of a café, a kitchen assistant at a care home and the owner of a street kitchen – the 2019 Bidfood’s Christmas Gift winners always go above and beyond to make the festive season special for others.

For the third year, Bidfood has rewarded the unsung heroes of the hospitality sector through its Christmas Gift campaign, highlighting devoted individuals across the UK.

While it’s business as usual for those working in the hospitality sector over the festive period, with over 93% expecting to work either Christmas or Boxing Day, their loved ones are not always as accepting, with 67% having had family and friends complaining about their absence in the festive season.

Recognising this, Bidfood want to give Christmas back to those who have sacrificed time with their loved ones over this period. This year the supplier has announced five winners:

• Leanne Hanham, kitchen assistant, Harry Sotnick House, Portsmouth
• Kieghley Whalebone, chef, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
• Gail Gillon, manager, Jollytots & Cookies, Glasgow
• Kerstin Kopeitko, restaurant supervisor, Golden Lion hotel, Stirling
• Tracy Dickinson Wheeldon, owner, Tracy’s Street Kitchen, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

Each winner receives the gift of a meal with loved ones and a Virgin Experience voucher to enjoy.

Andy Kemp, group sales and marketing director at Bidfood, said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to run this campaign again for a third year. As many of you are aware, Bidfood’s Christmas Gift is very close to my heart, and it’s a pleasure to read just how many unsung heroes there are in our fantastic industry.

“It’s no easy feat picking a winner, as the calibre of entries we receive is so high each year. Not only does this make the job for the judges that bit harder, but it has also resulted in a few extra winners and gifts being given to those most worthy.

“A big thank you to everyone who nominated and to all those who give up their own Christmas to work so hard to make the festive period such a special time for us all.”