CEDA presents inaugural Legacy Honours amongst 2019 awards

The CEDA gala dinner and awards took place last week at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire, bringing to a close the 2019 CEDA Conference and awarding multiple individuals in the catering equipment distributor sector.

The CEDA Supplier Awards, CEDA Rising Star Award, CEDA Grand Prix Awards and new for 2019, the Legacy Honours by CEDA were all distributed with the new Legacy awards being presented to individuals who have played a role in creating a tangible legacy that has made a considerable positive difference, enriched lives, served with dedication, passion and commitment and cast an indelible history within the industry.

The inaugural Legacy Honourees were: Jeff Whitaker, CEO and founder Whitco Catering & Bakery Equipment; Ian Bass, retiring honorary treasurer of CEDA and group financial director of Gratte Brothers and Andrew Humble, owner and director, Humble Arnold Associates.

CEDA director general, Adam Mason, explained: "The Legacy Honours by CEDA, were a personal highlight of the entire conference. It is so important that we recognise and honour those that have laid the path for the future to follow.

Regrettably, both Jeff and Andrew's Honours were presented posthumously but I am so happy that Vita Whitaker and Steph Humble could be with us to collect the medal and receive the recognition of the entire industry."

Other awards presented on the night included:

• Supplier Awards Heavy Equipment winner - Maidaid-Halcyon Ltd

• Supplier Awards Light Equipment Accessories & Spares winner - First Choice Group

• Supplier Awards Customer Service winner - First Choice Group and Maidaid-Halcyon Ltd

• The CEDA Rising Star Award - James Austin from Tailor MadeThe ceda Grand Prix Awards 2019 were judged by experienced industry veterans Ron Neville and John Savage, with six category winners announced:

• Design Project Under £100k winner - CNG Foodservice Equipment for their project at Lucio's, County Durham

• Design Project over £300k winner â€" TAG Catering Equipment for (5-star hotel) on Park Lane, London

• Project Management Excellence winner â€" Vision Commercial Kitchens for their project at Silversands

• Outstanding Customer Service â€" Whitco Catering & Bakery Equipment for work with Oxfordshire County Council

• Sir Donald Thompson Cup (chosen from the winners of the five Grand Prix categories) - TAG Catering Equipment

Summing up the awards, Adam Mason said: “The final shortlists covered a wide range of projects that our amazing members had carried out in 2018. The common theme among all was excellence. Congratulations to the winners of all the categories and to TAG for the overall winner accolade.”

Catering Equipment Distributors Association: Supplier Awards shortlist 2019