Andrew Archer, publisher of Public Sector Catering, praised the roles played by them before presenting each with a special Industry Recognition accolade.
Beverley Baker was one of the founders of the industry association LACA (now known as The School Food People), going on to lead it as national chair on two separate occasions and playing an active role on its board for over 35 years.
Andrew said: “I won’t tell you how many years she worked in the school catering industry, but let’s just say it was over 40, and for every moment of that, what drove her was a desire to make the sector better and for children to be fed the best and most healthy and nutritious food possible.”
Meanwhile, Jayne Jones served as vice chair of the Public Sector Catering Alliance for two years before taking over the role of chair in 2025. She left her position earlier in the year when she took over a new post as inaugural chief executive of the Scottish Food Commission.
In tribute Andrew said: “I have never had the pleasure of working with someone who is so driven and so knowledgeable, so passionate and so determined to make things better for the people they work with and serve.
“There always appears to be nothing she hasn’t thought about or considered when it comes to public sector food and she holds the respect of the entire industry.”