Search is on for KP of the Year 2013

Caterer and Hotelkeeper has partnered with Winterhalter to find the kitchen porter (KP) of the year and raise a perfectly cleaned glass to an often overlooked line of work in the professional kitchen.

The inaugural KP of the Year 2013 competition is designed to hunt out the industry's best KP's and uncover the secrets of finding and, more importantly, developing and retaining the people that form the back-bone of a busy kitchen.

Ware washing system manufacturer Winterhalter has joined us in this search to highlight the shared qualities of a good ware washer and kitchen porter - those of reliability, productivity and efficiency.

To further support the needs of a kitchen and to celebrate and demonstrate its commitment, Winterhalter managing director Stephen Kinkead went ‘back to the floor' as a KP.

He said: "My experience has reinforced our backing of this competition even more forcibly. It is such hard work!

"We are committed to raising the profile of the KP and support Caterer in this campaign and will be offering a prize to the winning KP that includes £500 cash and a meal for the winner and up to five colleagues at a chef's table at a Michelin starred restaurant. The KP of the Year's establishment will win, too, with some top Winterhalter products."

The deadline for entries is the 20 May 2013. Successful applicants will be judged by a panel of industry experts (no presentation necessary) and the winner announced in June.

So, if your kitchen has a porter you are proud of let us know at www.catererandhotelkeeper.co.uk/kpoftheyear

Nominate your KP of the Year >>

Video: Stephen Kinkead, Winterhalter managing director, spends a day in the life as a KP >>