Foodservice Cateys 2025: Business and Industry Caterer of the Year – Genuine Dining

Operating across more than 100 client sites, from Kent to north Wales, Genuine Dining has been on an impressive growth trajectory. In the past three years it has tripled turnover and caught the eye of caterer WSH, which acquired the business in 2024.

Each day Genuine Dining serves more than 12,000 freshly prepared meals and pours more than 20,000 cups of coffee. Its workforce grew by 13% in 2025 and it now has a team of 584 employees who benefit from bespoke training programmes and culinary competitions such as Gen Chef, which contribute to its industry-leading retention rates and clear career pathways.

With purposeful leadership from chief executive Chris Mitchell alongside head of people Candice Van Antwerp and managing director Tim Axe, Genuine Dining has built a reputation in B&I catering for operational excellence and a strong people-first culture.

As clients increase scrutiny of their budgets and adapt to hybrid working patterns, Genuine Dining has responded to these shifts with agility and innovation. It has leveraged its procurement might to successfully reduce subsidy costs in some contracts by as much as 15%, savings that have allowed clients to reallocate budgets toward enhanced employee experiences while still meeting financial goals.

The changing needs of clients has also been reflected in the introduction of Genuine All Stars, a programme that spotlights chefs across the business through counter takeovers and pop-up activations. This initiative has not only celebrated in-house talent, but also increased site-level sales and footfall, creating fresh buzz and delivering measurable value to clients, and no doubt contributing to its 98% client retention rate.

Meanwhile, Genuine Dining has elevated culinary standards through collaborations with chefs Budgie Montoya and Daksha Mistry, who have introduced new culinary styles through on-site takeovers and masterclasses, directly translating into fresher, more dynamic menus.

In addition, hands-on training, ranging from working in Michelin-starred kitchens to fish prep and butchery workshops, has deepened its chefs’ understanding of seasonality, provenance and precision. These experiences have fostered a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring consistent quality and innovation across all sites.

The business also works hard to ensure it is an inclusive employer. It has partnered with charities Fair Shot and Mission Employable to launch the Bridge, a programme dedicated to supporting individuals with learning difficulties into meaningful employment within Genuine Dining. A number of candidates have transitioned into full-time roles, contributing to operations, enhancing the workplace culture and aligning with clients’ ESG goals.

Genuine Dining has clearly gone beyond the plate, providing clients with both exceptional food and a partner that delivers value through community, inclusion and purpose.

Judges’ comments

“An outstanding nomination. Genuine Dining has demonstrated huge progress over the past 12 months in all areas of the business.” John Nugent

“The business clearly demonstrated that ‘the best people, serving the best food, having the most fun’ isn’t just a strapline. Excellent client and team retention, clear vision and purpose and strong social values.” David Kenny

“A clear demonstration of growth along with strong staff retention, which is testament to people focus and the fact that they live up to their strapline.” Ruth Lawton-Owen

Shortlist

• Bennett Hay
• Genuine Dining
• Vacherin

See previous winners of the award