Acorn Awards

26 November 2004 by
Acorn Awards

The 2004 Acorn Awards attracted more than 180 nominations for the 30 accolades on offer. We received entries from across the board, encompassing independent restaurants, chain restaurants, hotels, contract caterers, pubs and colleges. Eleven women and 19 men eventually became winners - so this year the girls have some catching up to do.

2005 will be the 19th year of Caterer's Acorn Awards, awards that personify everything that is good about our industry. They recognise 30 people under 30 who exemplify all the best characteristics of hospitality - high achievers who have continued to exceed expectations. The venue is fixed at the Four Seasons hotel, Canary Wharf, and there is sure to be some fierce competition.

The judging panel will set the tone and are themselves a team of role models. They are: Nicola Carter, sales and marketing co-ordinator, Mymarket (and a 2004 Acorn winner); Karen Earp, general manager, Four Seasons hotel, Canary Wharf; Terence Haynes, president and chief operating officer of McDonald's Restaurants; James Horler, chief executive, La Tasca Restaurants; Calum Ross, managing director of Acorn Awards sponsor Unilever Foodsolutions UK; Rebecca Thomas, managing director, ISS Eaton; Brian Turner, chef-restaurateur, Brian Turner Mayfair; Bill Vickers, marketing and food services director, Compass Group; and Sean Wheeler, human resources manager, Mitchells & Butlers (also an Acorn winner and member of the Acorn Club).

So once again, with the continued support of Unilever Foodsolutions, we embark on a journey of discovery to find the ambassadors of the future.

The nomination form is over the page, so help us by nominating the industry's future leaders. The winners' weekend will involve a series of interesting challenges to test their endurance.

Kirstie Groves, human resources executive, All Leisure (the sports and leisure division of Compass Group)

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"Winning an Acorn Award was a great personal achievement. To be recognised and rewarded by Caterer with one of the industry's most sought-after accolades was above and beyond any career aspirations. Wow, I was an Acorn - one of the year's (2004) 30 high flyers within the industry under the age of 30. "I have always been determined to succeed in the field of human resources (HR) in the catering and hospitality industry, so winning this award and having my efforts recognised among my peers, the senior management at Compass Group and the wider industry makes all the hard work worthwhile. "This award has helped place me on to the HR succession plan within the organisation, and I have recently benefited from a promotion to HR executive for the sports division of All Leisure, the sports and leisure division of Compass Group. "My key memories of winning are: receiving a congratulatory note from Mike Bailey, chief executive of Compass Group; seeing myself as a cartoon character on the front of Caterer (interesting); and the pride of my colleagues. "My advice for future winners: enjoy it, have fun, believe everything they tell you about the weekend away (it's true) and be proud of your contribution to the industry - it does count."
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Greg Hegarty, hotel manager, Thistle Selfridge, London
"At college I remember reading about the Acorn Awards, something I aspired to win. So the morning my area general manager called to say I had won one was a moment I'll never forget. Throughout the day I received numerous calls of congratulation, from family, colleagues and my peers. "Since winning the award I have attended some great events, including the winners' weekend at St Andrews, where the people, activities, hotel and ceremony were amazing. I joined the Acorn Club and attended the Cateys, the Acorn Summer Ball at the Dorchester and lunch at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons. All with industry leaders, all with great food, great wine and great networking opportunities. "Since winning the award I have been promoted twice and I am now hotel manager at the Thistle Selfridge, London - a £10.3m business - at the age of just 26. "I believe all of this is due to the confidence the Acorn Award has given me. These awards provide young professionals within our industry the opportunity for recognition, networking and self-development and the perfect platform to drive their future career."
![](https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/leSYldiTyWlZ4KVDHmMJ)
Darren Purchese, head pastry chef at the Bentley hotel, London, and soon to be deputy executive pastry chef at the Sheraton Hotel Kuwait City
"Winning an Acorn Award in 2004 capped off a satisfying couple of years in terms of my personal career progression. When you receive recognition in this way it serves to fuel your passion and enthusiasm to reach new heights. "Since the awards weekend earlier this year I have made invaluable new contacts and found it easier to be heard. I believe the Bentley hotel has benefited from the positive press, as has WeightWatchers UK, for which I am the resident chef contributor to their monthly magazine. "An Acorn Award is recognised as a major achievement by many people of influence in the industry today, and when I was asked to travel to Australia this year as a chef-demonstrator at the Brisbane Masterclass weekend held at the Hilton hotel, it was widely reported in the press over there that I had won an Acorn Award. "I am aware, though, that with this award comes a responsibility on my part to strive harder for perfection and to avidly promote the industry in the best light possible. I intend to live up to this responsibility, as the opportunities are endless." Sponsor's message
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Calum Ross, managing director, Unilever Foodsolutions, Unilever Bestfoods UK "2005 represents the 19th year that Unilever Foodsolutions has supported the Acorn Awards, and our commitment to the scheme is as strong as ever. "We passionately believe that the future of the hospitality industry is dependent upon the calibre of personnel across all disciplines, and by nurturing and supporting tomorrow's industry leaders it will continue to go from strength to strength. "Through the Acorn Awards we can put this into action and recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution of 30 young industry professionals whose achievements make them stand out from their peers. "Unilever Foodsolutions' position at the forefront of the food service industry is based on its ability to respond to the ever-changing marketplace and provide innovative catering solutions. All our products are backed by a wealth of culinary knowledge, marketing expertise and product development from our worldwide operation. "Unilever Foodsolutions is proud to maintain its commitment to the food service industry through its support of the Acorn Awards, and we look forward to congratulating this year's outstanding achievers."
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