Eight awards recognising ‘excellence, innovation and exceptional service’ in the care catering sector were handed out at the ceremony, held at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham.
The night’s winners included John Wills House, St Monica Trust, which won the Care Establishment of the Year Award for its provision in palliative, nursing and dementia care.
The Meals on Wheels Award went to West Sussex County Council, which provides 150,000 meals a year, plus 20,000 to day centres.
This year’s chairman’s award went to NACCA member, Era Varellas, for her care sector support work with the north London Borough of Haringey.
Neel Radia, national chair, NACC, said: “Heartfelt congratulations to all our award winners in our 30th anniversary year. Every single one of them, and all the finalists, exemplify exactly what is so great about the care catering sector.
“They all have an unwavering commitment and desire to raise standards of catering through innovative and exceptional service, and ultimately improve the lives of the people they are feeding.”
“Observations by the judges, such as ‘a model for success’, ‘a supremely well-led team’, ‘commitment and boundless energy’ and ‘outstanding service’, sum up perfectly the award-winning characteristics that are plentiful within our sector.”
“Catering for the elderly and vulnerable requires specific skills, knowledge, responsibility and care, and the NACC Awards are proof that we continue to push the boundaries and raise the bar.”
The full list of winners from the night were the following-
* Care Establishment of the Year Award: John Wills House, St Monica Trust
The judges described John Wills House, which provides palliative care, nursing care and dementia care, as a model for success in dealing with the range and complexity of care provided.
* Meals on Wheels Award: West Sussex County Council, Meals on Wheels Service
West Sussex County Council makes Meals on Wheels available to all of its 850,000 residents and during the past 12 months the service has grown by 10%, now providing 150,000 meals a year, plus 20,000 to Day Centres. The judges praised the outstanding service of which West Sussex residents can be justifiably proud.
* Catering Team of the Year Award: Gracewell of Horley Park Catering Team
The judges commended the ‘supremely well-led team’ that, in a short period of time, has been re-motivated from a state of low morale and raised standards overall, improving residents’ quality of life through its attitude, consistency and personalised approach.
* Catering Manager of the Year Award: Stuart Keown, Dining Service Coordinator, Sunrise of Banstead
As Cluster Dining Service Coordinator, supporting four other sites, and a Food Safety Trainer, Stuart promotes efficiency and resident-led service, consistently going the extra mile to achieve excellent standards. With no sign of slowing down and studying for his Level 4 in Management, the judges declared his commitment and boundless energy as an example to all.
* Our Care Catering Hero Award: Joy Whitlock, Head Chef, Harton Grange
Head Chef at Harton Grange, Joy is also Barchester Healthcare’s Hospitality Champion of the Year. Consistently giving her time to make sure the residents receive the very best of everything, she is often thanked and praised by residents’ families for looking after their loved ones so well. The judges agreed that she is a diamond.
* Region of the Year Award: South West Region
The South West region stood out to the judges for the quality of its regional meetings and its specific work in targeting prospective new members.
* Pam Rhodes Outstanding Achievement Award: Roger Bayliss
The Pam Rhodes Outstanding Achievement Award recognises the work and commitment of an individual that has made a lasting contribution to the NACC. Admired by his colleagues, Roger has been a member of the NACC since 1990 and still contributes to the life of the association in the role of National Treasurer, a post he has held for four years.
· Chairman’s Award 2017 – Era Varellas
Neel Radia, the NACC Chairman, awarded this special recognition to Era for her inspirational, long-term support of the care sector, working for the London Borough of Haringey, and the NACC. And, also for the encouragement and support she has given him since he joined the association. A NACC member for over 20 years, including South East regional chair for four years, Era has been instrumental in helping to write and structure important guidelines and in promoting the NACC wherever she goes – including Australia.