The Awards for Excellence aim to recognise individuals and teams that have made a 'real difference' to school food and education catering. The winners will be revealed at the awards dinner taking place on the evening of Wednesday 8th July.
Brad Pearce, chair of The School Food People, said: “It’s almost that time of year again when we come together with colleagues from across the school food sector to network, share ideas, best practice and solutions, to improve the services we deliver to pupils and students, at The School Food People Show and Forum in Birmingham.
“As national chair, I’m delighted to announce this year’s shortlist for The School Food People Awards for Excellence. This year, we received more entries than ever, and their high quality made judging even more difficult. Our Awards for Excellence celebrate individuals and teams who go the extra mile every day, making a real difference to our customers and their families.
“I know the economic climate remains challenging for us all, so I look forward to the awards evening and the opportunity to recognise the very best in the industry. Congratulations to everyone who has reached the shortlist—an achievement in itself. Good luck to all!”
The 2025 LACA Awards for Excellence shortlist includes:
Catering Business of the Year Award (sponsored by Rational UK):
- Bury Council – Catering
- Let’s Dine catering Team – Telford and Wrekin Council
- Nourish Contract Catering Ltd
- Olive Dining
- Shire Services
- The Great Plate CIC
Primary School Catering Team Award (sponsored by Middleton Foods):
- Belmont School – HCL
- Harefield Catering Team – City Catering, Southampton
- Redhill Primary Catering Team- Angel Hill Food Co
- Skinners’ Kent Primary School - Olive Dining
- The Great Plate - CIC
Secondary School Catering Team Award (sponsored by Bidfood):
- Fairfax Academy, Angel Hill Food Company
- Heathland School – Olive Dining
- Holmfirth High Catering Team
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School – AIP/Sodexo
- Penwortham Priory Academy Catering Team
- Polaris Multi Academy Trust
- Sarum Academy Catering Team – Angel Hill Food Company
- Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi – Pembrokeshire County Council
Unsung Hero Award
- Stacey Black – Alliance in Partnership/Sodexo
- Rob Cass – Angel Hill Food Co
- Wayne Clark – Olive Dining
- Francesca Love – Impact Food Group
- Gemma Madden – EANI- Mercy College
Marketing Award
- Food & Marketing Team HCL Ltd
- Marketing Team – Shire Services
- Marketing Team - The Pantry Catering
- Olive Dining
Natasha’s Allergy Research Fund Allergy Management Award (sponsored by ParentPay):
- Compliance Team – Shire Services
- ISS Nutrition & Health Safety Team
- Nutrition Team - The Pantry Catering
- Nutritionist Team – HCL Ltd
- Rosie & Jim
Apprentice/Trainee Award (sponsored by Worshipful Company of Cooks of London):
- Trevor Garner – Juniper Ventures
- Melanie Johnstone – Impact Food Group
- Leanne Newman – Salford City Council
Nan Berger Memorial Award
- Cheryl Barker & Keith Bolton- Penwortham Priory Academy
- ELYGRA Marketing
- Impact Food Group Team
Roger Davies Outstanding Achievement Award (sponsored by Pizza Plus Foodservice):
- Lorna Hicks – Telford and Wrekin Council
- Lin O Brien MBE
- Heena Patel – Educaterers
The School Food People Region of the Year Award (sponsored by Muller):
- London & South East
- North West
- South West
- West Midlands
Outstanding Supplier of the Year Award
- Bidfood
- Castle Howell
- Parent Pay
Outstanding Supplier of the Year – SME Award
- Love Joes
- Middleton Foods
- Planglow
- Rosie & Jim
- SchoolGrid
- Wibble Foods
- William White Meats