A team of six caterers from the University of Birmingham will battle with the region’s best chefs, catering managers, housekeepers and drinks servers this weekend, when they jostle for top prize recognition at a prestigious industry competition.
Richard Cawton, James Hyde, Richard Pettit, Stewart Turner, Nadine Stanton and Charlie Seal from the University’s Hospitality and Accommodation Services team will take part in the Midland Association of Restaurants, Caterers, Hotels and Entertainment (MARCHE) Awards at the International Convention Centre this weekend.
The competitors have already gone through stiff rounds of competition in the run up to the awards ceremony, facing tasks such as preparing, cooking and presenting a 3 course menu for 2 covers in 2 hours, serving cocktails, fully servicing a bedroom and giving presentations. The finalists now wait with bated breath to for Sunday evening’s awards ceremony, to see whether the coveted prizes will be theirs.
The competition is held annually, with industry professionals competing in various different categories that encompass the diverse skills of the hospitality sector. The University top six are represented as follows:
Manager of Tomorrow - Richard Cawton
Drinks Service Assistant of the Year - James Hyde and Richard Pettit
Chef of the Year - Stewart Turner
Young Chef of the Year - Nadine Stanton
Housekeeping Assistant of the Year - Charlie Seal
Geoff Pringle, Director of Hospitality and Accommodation Services at the University of Birmingham said: “I am both delighted and proud that six members of my team are finalists at the MARCHE Awards this weekend. This is an endorsement of their hard work, dedication and professionalism, and shows that University Caterers can compete in the same arena as 5 star hotels and restaurants. Myself and my colleagues will be out in force to support the team at the awards ceremony on Sunday night. They are already winners in my eyes, and I hope that the industry also gives them the recognition, which is well deserved.”
ENDS
Notes to Picture Editors:
A photograph of University of Birmingham Chef Stewart Turner putting the finishing touches to his dishes for the "Chef of the Year" Award at the MARCHE Awards is available on request from Rachel Robson.
Further information:
Rachel Robson – Head of News Team, University of Birmingham
Tel: 0121 414 6681 / mob: 07789 921165 / email: r.a.robson@bham.ac.uk