And the prize for worst menu of the year goes to…

I went to Sutton in Surrey last month to help judge one of the Caterer & Hotelkeeper Awards.

You will not be surprised to discover that this is a well-organised business, with each judge receiving a huge file of background information on every nominee before any discussion even takes place.

The course of the deliberations and the eventual successful name are, of course, kept top secret until the awards night in July, so don't expect me to spill any beans here.

However, one malicious thought did occur to me as we worked through a list of the great and the good in our industry. Wouldn't it be equally interesting to have an "alternative Cateys" for the organisation or person who has done the most damage to the trade?

How about one for the Worst Chef or Nastiest Hotelier? That would surely stimulate quite a bit of interest as well as opening up the possibility of a prize for more people.

Qualification

Plenty of names suggest themselves from among the ranks of those who could have made some contribution but didn't, although that wouldn't really be enough to qualify.

Similarly, persons who have only damaged one business or organisation would not have done enough to warrant recognition. We are talking about a special achievement here, some extra contribution to the lowering of standards or morale over and above the call of duty.

There would, of course, be scope for several more categories if the idea caught on. Those who write about hotels and restaurants might be able to compete for honours as well - "the Michael Winner Award for impartiality" perhaps? And how about another presentation for the worst written and most flowery menu, brochure or press release. What a glittering occasion it would be.

Anyone with a suggestion would include a short commendation as to the suitability of the proposed candidate and any cash-heavy organisation wishing to act as sponsor for the purchase of commemorative cracked mugs should step forward ASAP.

Announcement

As judge, I'm afraid I couldn't be nominated for any of these categories myself - in case any of you might have been thinking of writing to me along those lines. But any outright winner would be announced in early July - alongside the other rather more predictable list of heroes and heroines.

Judging excitements aside, it has been a consistently busy month at the Merchant House restaurant. Next week sees the departure of my assistant in the kitchen, William Griffiths, to limber up for a four-year college course at the Lausanne Hotel School.

The restaurant will close for 10 days while Anja and I head for the Himalayas, and Tracey Bayliss, the other member of our minuscule team, will spend the time attempting to mend the septic tank in her hillside cottage.

Next diary from Shaun Hill is on 27 June