Foodservice Cateys 2015: Event Caterer of the Year

Sponsored by Electrolux Professional

GLOBAL INFUSION GROUP

Global Infusion Group (GIG) works globally at over 3,000 events each year. Its roll-call of contracts includes Glastonbury, the Merriweather Pavilion in the US, sites on the ice fields of Inner Mongolia and the race tracks and fashion houses of China.

Having developed specialist divisions in niche markets, GIG can cater for a private meal for 12 or crew catering on-site for 1,000 people a day. During London 2012, the business supplied over 250,000 meals and provided for over 750,000 ticketed spectators across 22 venues. This Olympic success was followed by a spell in Russia, working across 12 venues at the Sochi Winter Olympics.

Meanwhile, GIG's full-time team has grown from 40 in 2003 to 167 in 2015, along with a team of more than 3,000 subcontractors.

Its success has been built on reinvestment. In 2012 it made a capital investment of over £1m, including 22 more complete mobile kitchens capable of catering for 500 people, five kitchen trucks and 600 pieces of flight case catering equipment.

This investment has allowed it unrivalled flexibility. It is now able to make a complete kitchen serving 50 to 50,000 people, and can begin catering on-site within minutes of arrival. GIG also claims that the equipment allows it to cook almost anywhere, since its purpose-built trucks have their own power, water drainage and waste facilities.

GIG's financial growth is as dramatic as its logistical expertise. Between 2010 and 2015 it has seen a 128% growth in turnover, relating to a 199% increase in profit. In that period turnover increased in the US by 36%, in China by 240%, and Qatar by 117%. GIG has also continued to grow and explore new territories, expanding into Brazil, Canada, South Korea and Russia.

To boost revenue in the past year, GIG has invested in staff training, which has ranged from seminars to boost confidence, training to deal with difficult situations, management training for those recently promoted and electrical safety training for warehouse teams.

Moreover, in the past year, GIG has met its financial targets the world over, more than doubling its turnover. It now has plans to consolidate the business, balance the client portfolio by securing more long-term contracts, spread business risk and strengthen its leadership team. Once these objectives are met, it will be in a position to establish the UK business in a purpose-built facility in Buckinghamshire, while continuing to grow in Asia and invest in the Middle East.

What the judges said

"Global Infusion Group is a company that has an intriguing business. It demonstrates an amazing ability to cater at events that are both challenging and diverse in nature."

Doug Tetley, Delaware North

"This was a strong submission that demonstrates the diversity and professionalism of an expanding business."

Kate Evans, Manchester Fayre, Manchester City Council

"Global Infusion Group has taken UK events to a truly international business. It has demonstrated impressive growth and not balked at showing real entrepreneurial spirit."

Chris Mitchell, the Genuine Dining Co

Shortlisted

• Global Infusion Group

• Rhubarb

• Wild Thyme

Past winners

• 2014 Kings Place Events

• 2013 Absolute Taste