Special Award

When Jamie Oliver won the Catey Special Award last year, he joined a unique group of people that includes Compass Group chairman Francis Mackay, Sir Rocco Forte, Sir Terence Conran, David Michels and John Jarvis. The efforts of these men have galvanised the hospitality industry in this country over the years, changing it from top to bottom.

 

Venerable company, indeed, especially for a personality such as the 28-year-old former River Café chef, who has conducted a love-hate relationship with the press ever since he shot to fame with his stylish cookery programmes on BBC2. But it is his latest project that has won him universal plaudits.

 

In setting up his restaurant, Fifteen, in Hackney, east London, Oliver gave 15 unemployed youngsters aged 16-24 the chance to be trained as chefs in just nine months. The thrills and spills of refurbishing the derelict site, together with the daily task of training and motivating the sometimes unruly youngsters, was all captured on the hugely successful Jamie’s Kitchen series that was first screened on Channel 4 in November 2002.

 

The judges were unequivocal about making him last year’s Special Award winner. “Not only has he made cooking fun to millions of people, both young and old,” said one judge, “he has also placed a professional and personal stake in developing the restaurateurs of tomorrow.”

 

Now the search is on for the 2004 Special Award winner to join the already elite line-up. There are no set criteria for this award; it can recognise someone from any sector of the catering or hospitality industry. The person you nominate will have made a significant contribution to their sector, and maybe to the industry at large, but their contribution is by no means over.

 

The award may come early in a career, as recognition of original or creative ideas, or later, when someone has established a consistently outstanding record.

 

To nominate someone for this award, fill in the attached form (see below) and send it in together with a supporting statement of no more than 200 words. The closing date for nominations is Friday 6 February, and judging will take place at Caterer’s offices on Wednesday 12 May.

 

Don’t forget: All nominations in this category MUST be accompanied by a supporting statement.

 

NB: nominations for this award have now closed.

 

Sponsored by American Express Establishment Services

 

Sponsor’s message:

 

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American Express is delighted to be supporting the Catey awards, and to be sponsoring this year’s Special award Catey, one of the most widely respected awards within the hospitality industry.

 

The special award Catey was established to recognise individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service, dedication and a commitment to innovation within their industry.

 

American Express prides itself on sharing these values and delivering a consistently high quality of service to its customers.

 

American Express continues to widen its global network of merchant coverage and to drive the business of its higher spending, loyal Card members to partner merchants around the UK.