CEDA's winning teams
This year's annual CEDA Conference was held in Scotland at the Hilton Hydro, Dunblane. The conference, which also featured the prestigious Grand Prix awards sponsored by leading supplier AFE (AGA Foodservice Equipment), was well attended by CEDA members and representatives from some of the UK's leading suppliers.
As well as a challenging business programme and a key note address from Yo! Sushi founder Simon Woodroffe, the conference provided an opportunity for leading distributors and suppliers to get together and recognise the achievements of their colleagues over the last 12 months. A busy social agenda including the annual CEDA/CUA v CESA golf challenge (won by CESA), and a traditional Ceilidh, provided an interesting diversion from the business content.
Reed Catering titles, Catering Update and Caterer & Hotelkeeper sponsored the business agenda; AFE the Grand Prix awards and Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors gave the support without which the conference would not be the same.
As always the focus of this year's conference was the Grand Prix awards sponsored by AFE. This year there were 40 entries, by far the largest number to date. Entries were divided into five categories - cost sector, hotel, restaurant, pub and, a new category this year, outstanding customer service.
All entries were placed before the judges who short-listed them to 20 entries. Each shortlisted entry was then visited by a two-man judging panel. As always, the standards were high and the decisions difficult.
Congratulations to the winners and all those shortlisted.
CEDA
The winners
Grand Prix winner - Prisma for st Mary's hospital, London
Restaurant category winner - Caterware for Carluccio's
Cost sector winner - Prisma for st Mary's hospital, London
Pub sector winner - Court Catering for the Founders Arms, London
Hotel sector winner - HC Troldahl for Guisborough hall
Outstanding customer service - Airedale Catering for Esporta Health and Fitness, Spain.