We are delighted to announce the shortlist for this year’s Grand Prix Awards.

Having once again reviewed a record number of entries the judges, Nick Howe and Iain Munro, have arrived at their shortlists for the Grand Prix Awards 2025.

It is the third consecutive year that entry numbers have grown, cementing the creativity, skill and strength of the expanding ceda Membership.

Director General, Adam Mason, commented; “Congratulations to those that have been shortlisted. This year, more than ever, it is an outstanding achievement – the quality and quantity of entries across the board is exceptional.

“Project entries this year span the breadth of the hospitality sector including colleges, delis, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, bakeries, sports stadia, arenas, garden centres and hospitality groups. It’s an excellent mix of projects covering the exceptional Design, Project Management and Installation and Service expertise of our members.

“We look forward to revealing the winners at the ceda Conference in June, once our judges have made the difficult decision of which project will win each category.”

You can view the shortlisted projects for each of the six categories below, or by visiting the ceda website here: http://ceda.co.uk/conference2025/grand-prix-awards-2025/

Design Project Under £100k
West Notts College Demo Kitchen – Hatherley Commercial Services
Pick Your Own – Space
Li-ly Restaurant by Aiden Byrne – Vision Commercial Kitchens

Design Projects £100k-£250k
Osip – Advance Group
Blackburn College – CHR Food Service Equipment
Sandman Hotel – Vision Commercial Kitchens

Design Projects £250k-£500k
Off Shore Inn Collection Group – CNG Foodservice Equipment
Princess Alexandra Hospital – HCE Foodservice Equipment
Tenera Mor – Vision Commercial Kitchens

Design Projects over £500k
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort – CHR Food Service Equipment
One Great George Street – HCE Foodservice Equipment
Margo & Sebbs – Instock Group
Seaton House Hotel – Vision Commercial Kitchens

Project Management Excellence
Walker & Sons: Charnwood Bakery – ABDA Design
Everton FC Stadium – C&C Catering Equipment
The Co-op Live Arena – Vision Commercial Kitchens

Outstanding Customer Service
Dobbies Garden Centres – Gratte Brothers Foodservice Solutions
Kia Oval – HCE Foodservice Equipment
Evolv Collection – TAG Catering Equipment UK

The winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner on Thursday 12th June as part of the ceda Conference at St Georges Park, Burton-on-Trent.

Maidaid has introduced a new Technical Support Portal that features a redesigned Engineers Service Guide, designed with accessibility, innovation, and practicality at its core, ensuring engineers have the latest tools and resources at their fingertips, enhancing efficiency and support.

Dom Durrant and Chris Haedicke, Technical Service Engineers at Maidaid and part of the team behind the Technical Support Portal and redesigned Engineers Service Guide, explain:
“This latest version is the biggest yet, packed with interactive menus and essential support tools to ensure engineers always have the guidance they need—right at their fingertips. No more outdated manuals or missing pages; this guide is designed to deliver immediate, real-time solutions for use in the field.”

To streamline access, engineers can now obtain the most up-to-date copy via a QR code, guaranteeing they always have the latest version available. Whether they need rapid troubleshooting or an in-depth reference, the new guide makes it easier than ever to find the right information instantly. Engineers can request a unique access code, giving them access to the content.

The Portal also includes parts books, operator videos, links to order parts and how to contact Technical Support.

Wayne Wetton, Technical Manager, added, “this portal represents Maidaid’s ongoing commitment to supporting engineers with the best resources possible, keeping them equipped with the latest insights and tools needed for the job. The future of engineering support is here – efficient, secure, and built to keep engineers supported in the field.”

Access to the portal is here, while the Engineers Service Guide requires a unique code which can be requested from the Maidaid Technical Team via email at technical@maidaid-halcyon.co.uk.

Moffat’s Advanced innovative Versicarte Pro Range continues to be the UK market leading food servery system which is ideal for schools, colleges, universities, hospitals and care homes.

The wide range of interchangeable heated, ambient and chilled units include bain-marie, hot tops, chilled wells and chilled multi decks. All of which can be used on their own or combined to create an attractive mobile servery counter.

Features include open and closed front gantries, which offer clients the option of self or assisted service along with a wide choice of fascia panel colours and tray rail options.

This versatile product comes with a comprehensive range of accessories including clearing station, cutlery station, plate dispenser, soup, corner and cashier sections.

Each base unit in the range can be powered from a single 13amp power supply. This allows complete freedom and simple installation whilst facilitating “Plug & go”, “wheel in wheel out” “easy move easy clean”

As with all Moffat products, the Versicarte Pro Range is manufactured to UKCA standards and comes with a two-year parts and labour warranty.

For more information visit our website at www.ermoffat.co.uk

Lyreco, a global leader in sustainable workplace solutions, delivers exceptional services to over 40 countries. Their UK office in Telford boasts a professional workplace catering operation managed by Jimmy Worrall, Chef Manager from Blue Apple Catering Company. With the help of Rational cooking systems, Jimmy ensures that the 600 Lyreco UK employees enjoy a variety of consistently high-quality dishes daily, including breakfast, lunch with two hot main dishes, and buffets for team meetings.

The iVario Pro can replace bratt pans but also boiling kettles, deep fryers, large pots and pans, and pressure cookers. Chefs can boil, braise, fry, and deep fry all in one cooking system. It‘s intelligent assistance supports the many varied cooking tasks staff would normally have to undertake, saving time and increasing productivity, helping with efficiency, flexibility, and staff shortages.

Jimmy shares his experience with the iVario Pro, saying, “In the iVario we cook stocks, sauces, stews, pastas, and stir-fries. We needed something that would cook faster than just a wok or a frying pan, something that was powerful and had a definite space for us to be able to cook in for larger numbers. The iVario is a very useful piece of equipment. I’d highly recommend it.”

The iVario Pro has significantly improved Jimmy’s workflow and the quality of the meals served. “It makes my day go a lot faster if I can get the food out fast and fresh. If I cooked the stir fry I made today in the wok, I would have had to start cooking 45 minutes earlier and it probably wouldn’t have been as good by the time I’d got it to service. So it just gives me a better product in the end.” says Jimmy.

Highlighting the difference between the iVario Pro and conventional cooking appliances, Jimmy states, “The iVario is night and day compared to what we were using before. It will also give us a better finish on the products that we’re trying to seal or cook.”

Jimmy also appreciates the efficiency of the iVario Pro’s pressure cooking feature, stating, “I cook curry every Thursday in the iVario. I can use the pressure cooker and it cooks 10 kilos of chicken in 20 minutes. But the flavour you get from it, because it’s been pressure cooked, is amazing. I wouldn’t get that cooking on the stove.”

The iVario Pro has also led to significant cost savings. Jimmy notes, “It’s saving us a fortune in gas. Before we were using the gas all day, we used to have it on constantly. Now that we’ve got the iVario, we’re probably using 60% less gas.”

Training staff on the iVario Pro is straightforward, and it has even reduced the need for additional staff. Jimmy states, “It’s really easy to train all the staff on the iVario. It’s probably saving us from getting another member of staff, which is obviously saving on our wage bill, so that it does make it a game changer.”

Together, the iVario Pro and iCombi Pro appliances form a powerful duo in Jimmy’s kitchen, enhancing productivity and ensuring that the meals served are always fresh and delicious. In summary, the Rational iVario Pro has revolutionised Jimmy’s catering operations at Lyreco, enhancing efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.

We understand the importance of making informed decisions, especially when it comes to investing in innovative kitchen equipment. That’s why we’re thrilled to offer you the opportunity to trial the iVario, the game changer, for FREE for a full 6-week period prior to purchasing. https://www.rational-online.com/en_gb/lp/ivario-interest-ad/

Foster has won the coveted Refrigerator Brand of the Year award at The Caterer’s inaugural Supplier of the Year awards.

The judging panel was made up of owners, operators and chefs from the likes of Deliveroo, Hilton and the Craft Guild of Chefs. They commended Foster on a wide range of business initiatives including their EcoShow Multideck, with revolutionary uplighting and reduced energy consumption, their sustainability goals and their SOS FREE UK next day delivery service which has recently been expanded.

Katy Chilvers, Foster’s Marketing Communications Manager, collected the award on behalf of the team who were up against stiff competition from Williams and Hoshizaki. “Winning Refrigerator Brand of the Year is a wonderful testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at Foster. We work closely with our customers to ensure they can rely on us, and it’s great to be recognised for delivering energy efficient and quality products. We’re immensely proud,” she said.

Check out the full product ranges from The Refrigeration Experts at fosterrefrigerator.com and gamko.com or email sales@foster-gamko.com.

Committed to offering the most educational and technical training courses for service technicians working in the foodservice industry, Parts Town UK have announced a new gas pipework testing area coming soon to their state-of-the-art training facilities.

The new area will enable technicians to extend their technical training qualification to include testing and purging of large pipework. The area has been designed to replicate that of a commercial kitchen, giving technicians the opportunity to work in a similar area to what they would see in foodservice operations.

On the news of the new gas pipework testing area, Parts Town UK’s Training Centre Manager, Scott Barnfield comments, “We are extremely excited to incorporate this new testing installation into our training facilities. Our customers have been requesting a large pipework course for some time and this new area will enable technicians to include this qualification during their standard assessment renewals. With each update we make to our Training Centre, we are another step closer to our Centre of Excellence becoming a one stop shop for all training and assessment needs!”

Parts Town UK’s Training Division provides technical training courses and assessments for engineers and technicians working within the commercial foodservice industry. Training is provided by a team of professional trainers who have many years of experience in the commercial catering equipment industry and their facilities include fully functional professional kitchens together with the very latest in educational technology.

Find out more about Parts Town UK’s training division at www.partstown.co.uk/training/

📅 Date: 6th June
📍 Location: Your Office or On the Road

Join us for the Cup of Tea and Biscuit Event on the 6th of June! We’re encouraging all Members and Partners to host an in-house gathering where staff can come together over a cup of tea or coffee and have an open conversation about mental health and wellbeing.

Whether it’s in the office or a meet-up on the road, this is a chance to connect, check in with colleagues, and raise awareness about the importance of mental health.

🔹 Resources Provided: We’ll supply Members and Partners with materials to display during the event, ensuring everyone knows about the free support available for mental health and wellbeing.

Let’s take a moment to talk, listen, and support each other. ☕🍪

CookTek a growing range of quality induction hobs

CookTek Helios range has grown in size since its launch last year with the new ‘Standard’ version adding 18 new models to the range.  These models all have 20 power and temperature settings.  They are available in either 2.5kW, 3.0kW or 3.5kW power ratings and have a combination of power and temperature settings giving full control-ability to the operator. Drop-in and twins also available. Plus the assurance of five years parts and labour warranty covered by ourselves. All enclosed in a modern case.

CookTek food holding buffet induction range.

The CookTek buffet range including the Incogneeto, and SinAqua models.  All these models are set by temperature required, not the power setting.  Which gives accurate level temperatures, holding food at a constant temperature.   The Incogneeto version is our top of the range units that is hidden under the counter, and works through the countertop.  So when service is cleared away, no visible sign of the induction unit.  The SinAqua units are drop in units, available in either square or round, and work really well with our Dolphin chafing dishes.  Not only will they keep food at a constant level temperature of your choosing, they are more economical to run than the chafing fuel cells.  With no need to buy, store or dispose of the tins, plus no naked flames.

CookTek Induction Woks

Our reviews we have had on our Woks, say they were surprised on the performance.  These units are really powerful, and available in different formats, wether the kitchen requires tabletop, drop-in or a wok suite, we can do it.  The suites are built with a knee operated water tap dispensing a small amount of water for rinsing the pan or adding water to the dish.  These units also have enough room under for a refrigerated drawer unit.  Induction woks save on energy, and also cuts heat down in the kitchen.

Peter Kay, ceda’s Technical Support Advisor, is retiring at the end of July after two decades with the Association and 63 years in the industry.

Starting at Stotts of Oldham as an order clerk, Peter’s career took him from Stotts to Crypto Peerless and then to his own business, and ultimately to ceda in 2005 as their first Managing Director.

Reflecting on his time in the industry, Peter says; “I have seen lots of changes in our industry during my time, but he one thing that has not changed is the fact that the people are all very friendly.  The single biggest change is the level of knowledge and professionalism within distributors.”

Adam Mason, ceda Director General acknowledges Peter’s invaluable contribution to ceda; “In his time as MD, Peter laid important foundations upon which the Community could grow and flourish. Under his guidance as Technical Support Advisor, ceda has become the industry-leading body for technical documentation, engineers training and technical support. I will miss him as a trusted and knowledgeable colleague and wish him the happiest of retirements.”

Such has ceda’s technical service provision grown, they are looking to recruit a full-time replacement to deliver even more support, solution and value to Members.

View the job description here: ceda.co.uk/job-vacancy/

ceda Chair, Kirstin Hatherley, commented; “Peter’s contribution to ceda has been immense. I’ve really enjoyed working with him on creating and developing the Apprenticeship Standard and that is a major part of the significant legacy that he leaves.

“We will all have the opportunity to toast Peter and wish him a long, happy and healthy retirement at Conference in June.”

Smeg Professional have something exciting on the horizon! Stay ahead of the curve and visit the page below to discover more about their latest innovation.

Plus, Smeg professional are offering those who sign up to the waiting list the chance to receive exclusive information ahead of the launch and alongside the reveal at the 2025 ceda Conference.