NACC Awards 2017 winners revealed
The National Association of Care Catering (NACC) announced the winners of the NACC Awards 2017 last night at a gala dinner at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham.
John Wills House, St Monica Trust in Bristol won the Care Establishment of the Year Award. John Wills House is made up of three areas: the Beeches, which provides end of life care; the Willows which provides general needs nursing care; and the Orchards which provides residential care for older people with dementia.
The Meals on Wheels Award went to West Sussex County Council which makes meals on wheels available to all of its 850,000 residents. During the past year the service has grown by 10%, now providing 150,000 meals a year, plus 20,000 to Day Centres.
Gracewell of Horley Park Catering Team won the Catering Team of the Year Award. Judges commended the ‘supremely well-led team' that, in a short period of time, has been re-motivated from a state of low morale and raised standards overall, improving residents' quality of life through its attitude, consistency and personalised approach.
The Catering Manager of the Year Award was given to Stuart Keown, dining service coordinator at Sunrise of Banstead. Judges said that Keown showed "no sign of slowing down" as he continues studying for his Level 4 in Management.
Joy Whitlock, head chef, Harton Grange was named Our Care Catering Hero. "Consistently giving her time to make sure the residents receive the very best of everything, she is often thanked and praised by residents' families for looking after their loved ones so well." Judges said.
The South West won Region of the Year. It stood out to the judges for "the quality of its regional meetings and its specific work in targeting prospective new members."
Roger Bayliss won the Pam Rhodes Outstanding Achievement Award, which recognises the work and commitment of an individual that has made a lasting contribution to the NACC. Bayliss has been a member of the NACC since 1990 and still contributes to the association in the role of National Treasurer.
NACC chairman Neel Radia presented the Chairman's Award 2017 to Era Varellas for her long-term support of the care sector working for the London Borough of Haringey and the NACC. She has been an NACC member for over 20 years.
Radia said: "What a night! Heartfelt congratulations to all our award winners in our 30th anniversary year. Every single one of them, and all the finalists, exemplify exactly what is so great about the care catering sector. They all have an unwavering commitment and desire to raise standards of catering through innovative and exceptional service, and ultimately improve the lives of the people they are feeding.
"I know for a fact that the judges had a tough time selecting the overall winners from such a fantastic pool of entries. Observations by the judges, such as ‘a model for success', ‘a supremely well-led team', ‘commitment and boundless energy' and ‘outstanding service', sum up perfectly the award-winning characteristics that are plentiful within our sector. Catering for the elderly and vulnerable requires specific skills, knowledge, responsibility and care, and the NACC Awards are proof that we continue to push the boundaries and raise the bar."
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