We’re delighted to announce the shortlist of nominees for this year’s ceda Grand Prix Awards!

The volume and standard of entries this year has surpassed expectation with entries alone up over 30%. Judges Ron Neville and John Savage have had their work cut out as they’ve made their way through the applications to devise an initial shortlist and gather further, more detailed information to arrive at the final nominees.

Successful companies have been informed and it is our pleasure to now announce the ceda Grand Prix Awards Finalists 2019, along with this year’s Award sponsors:

GRAND PRIX AWARDS FINALISTS 2019

Design Project Under 100k
CNG Foodservice Equipment – Lucio’s
TAG Catering Equipment – Wild Food Café
SPONSOR: Academy Leasing

Design Project 100k to 300k
CHR Food Service – Mana Restaurant
CNG Foodservice Equipment – The Trading Rooms, Piece Hall
Vision Commercial Kitchens – Bristol Cathedral School
SPONSOR: Catering Insight

Design Project over 300k
C&C Catering Equipment – Gravetye Manor
Catering Design Group – The University of Sunderland
TAG Catering Equipment – The Dorchester
Vision Commercial Kitchens – Soho House, Greek Street Hotel
SPONSOR: Hospitality & Catering News

Outstanding Customer Service
Gratte Brothers Catering Equipment – Simmons Bakers Cafés
Tailor Made Catering Equipment Services – Loungers
Vision Commercial Kitchens – Hickory’s
Whitco Catering & Bakery Equipment – Oxfordshire County Council
SPONSOR: Foodservice Equipment Journal

Project Management Excellence
C&C Catering Equipment – L’oscar
GS Catering Equipment – The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
TAG Catering Equipment – Beck at Brown’s
Vision Commercial Kitchens – Silversands
SPONSOR: TBC

Adam Mason commented, “It’s always a great moment to announce the shortlisted entries for the ceda Grand Prix Awards and this year is no exception. With initial entries up by over 30% it really has been a tremendously competitive process so far, to the extent that some excellent projects have not made the final shortlist. Once again, there’s a great blend of sector, size and delivery, clearly demonstrating the incredible expertise, flexibility and diversity of the ceda membership.”

Judges Ron and John are now busy visiting each shortlisted project, in person, to gauge a better understanding of the project, and ultimately decide the winner of each category.

An overall winner will be selected from the victors in each of the five categories above and they will receive the Sir Donald Thompson Cup, sponsored by Dewberry Redpoint.

Also presented at the Gala Dinner is The Rising Star Award which recognises and rewards an individual’s outstanding achievement and contribution to the development of a ceda member company.

All the winners of the ceda Grand Prix Awards will be announced at the Gala Dinner and Awards Evening of the 2019 ceda Conference on Friday 5th April at Heythrop Park, Oxfordshire.

Also presented on the night are the ceda Supplier Awards, which ceda members are voting for now, for the suppliers they feel have delivered the best overall service in terms of quality of product, support and service.

Recognition is given to three categories; Heavy Equipment (sponsored by Commercial Kitchen), Light Equipment (sponsored by Accessories & Spares) and Outstanding Customer Service (sponsored by TBC).

Charismatic entrepreneur and speaker, BJ Cunningham and financier Martin Vander Weyer, are the latest names to be added to the ceda Conference speaker line-up, which is now just five weeks away!

BJ Cunningham

Whilst still a teenager BJ Cunningham started his first enterprise, importing classic cars and Harley Davidsons from LA to London. When the market collapsed, he used his considerable debt to launch DEATH Cigarettes – positioned as ‘The Honest Smoke’. It gained such a foothold that BJ found himself taking on the combined might of the industry in the European Court of Justice.

With a growing reputation for challenging norms, BJ set up a brand marketing agency and built a client list including Volkswagen, B&O and Nokia. Having sold the company and proved his credentials as a true serial entrepreneur, he and his wife created and ran the luxury shoe designer Georgina Goodman until its acquisition by venture capitalists.

BJ is a Visiting Professor at Brighton University, serves on the council of Business Superbrands and travels the world giving inspiring keynote presentations. He believes that while customers are magnetised towards ‘need’ over ‘want’ in the wake of recession, genuine premium will remain resilient: “Loyalty in business is a long-term relationship, discounting is little more than a one-night stand.”

BJ’s message is that a brand is a promise, not a logo; it’s about depth, not awareness. A business must know what it stands for, say it with clarity and do what it says. With wonderfully engaging examples, he shows that customers want to understand the authentic soul of the organisation and become part of your community.

Martin Vander Weyer

Martin Vander Weyer is Business Editor of The Spectator, the world’s oldest weekly current affairs magazine. He is also a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph, Literary Review and other national publications.

Before turning his hand to journalism, Martin spent 15 years as an investment banker in London, Brussels and the Far East – including a spell in Malaysia privatising an airline.

A highly experienced commentator rather than a technical economist, Martin agrees that a shift of resources from the bloated public sector to a more responsive private sector should bear fruit. But he also believes there are many in the City who should examine their consciences.

Martin is a Trustee of Opera North and has written and performed in several plays. Amongst other titles he is also the author of Falling Eagle: the decline of Barclays Bank, Fortune’s Spear, and a collection of columns and articles, Any Other Business: Life in and Out of the City.

BJ and Martin join Kate Nicholls of UKHospitality and Peter Martin of CM & Co in the 2019 Business Day speaker’s line-up, with more names due to be announced imminently.

ceda Director General, Adam Mason believes BJ and Martin will bring a different vibe to the Business Day agenda and is eagerly awaiting what they have to say, “I’m delighted that BJ and Martin will be joining us at Conference to impart their respective knowledge, wit and expertise. Over the last few years we have found that the blend of speakers has been crucial in delivering outstanding Business Day content. They will take the audience, momentarily, out of the catering and hospitality industry and give life and business lessons that can be implemented in to businesses across the sector.”

The ceda Conference 2019 takes place at Heythrop Park, Oxfordshire on 4^th & 5^th April. To book you place and find out more details visit https://ceda.co.uk/conference/.

Leading catering equipment service provider Arolite is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month by announcing a revamped website and a new digital offering.

Arolite delivers bespoke catering solutions to several industries across the UK, such as leisure, hospitality, retail, and education. Recently, their services have extended to provide specialized catering for events hosted by online casinos, where creating a seamless, high-end experience is essential. Their ability to bring a unique combination of service, knowledge, expertise, and efficiency to all areas of supply and support ensures that these digital entertainment platforms can offer their clients an exceptional and immersive experience.

Its new website features a streamlined design and improved functionality. With enhanced content and a focus on its successes, the site will help buyers and facilities managers make well-informed decisions regarding the effective management of their catering equipment investment, utilising a data led approach.

Arolite has also invested in new cloud offerings such as Microsoft Power BI to bolster its client interface by enabling access to information and data remotely for ease and efficiency.  The new offering follows its inclusion with the renowned Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business High Growth Programme, which supports selected SME businesses as they expand.

The company was founded by the Khanna family in February 2009. Vinod Khanna, David Khanna, Diana Khanna and Syrita Foster have since led the business to high levels of success, tripling its employee numbers and counting household names among its client base, such as Dunelm, Showcase Cinemas and Betty’s Tea Rooms.

David Khanna, Operations Director, said: “While we have seen great business growth in the last decade, what hasn’t changed is our business ethos – we are always striving to improve our service offering, and continue to surpass our customers expectations.

“All industries are undergoing a digital transformation, and data is going to play a huge part in leisure and hospitality. Provision of timely information is key in improving not only customer experience but also their margins. Our new website design gives a much clearer reflection of who we are as a business –  straightforward, knowledgeable and trouble-free.”

The first speaker for our 2019 Conference has been announced!

Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality will be taking part in the Business Day programme on Friday 5th April, which is noted for its top class speakers on both industry specific topics and general business issues.

Kate Nicholls was appointed CEO of UKHospitality, the powerful voice representing the broad hospitality sector, in April 2018, having previously worked as CEO and Strategic Affairs Director of the ALMR.

In April 2018, Kate was also appointed Chair of the Mayor of London’s Night Time Commission to provide the Mayor with independent advice on London at night. Kate is also a member of the Events Industry Board, London Food Board, Tourism Industry Council, Cultural Cities Enquiry and London & Partners Members Group. In February 2019, Kate joined the Advisory Board for the Institute for Industrial Strategy.

After gaining a degree in English and a post-graduate diploma in competition law, Kate worked as a researcher in the House of Commons and European Parliament before joining Whitbread as Government Relations Manager, starting her career in hospitality in 1993. Kate was Director at one of the largest independent public affairs companies, working with a number of hospitality, retail and leisure accounts before establishing her own strategic communications consultancy in 2000. She is a graduate of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and Kings College London.

Adam Mason says Kate’s booking has set the bar for the rest of the Conference line-up and he’s delighted to welcome Kate to the ceda Conference, he said, “In a very short period of time Kate has driven UK Hospitality to become the leading, authoritative, industry body representing the wider hospitality industry. She is an incredibly impressive person who I have a huge amount of professional admiration for and I am delighted that attendees to our Conference will have the opportunity to meet and listen to her thoughts and views.”

We are delighted to announce that the Craft Guild of Chefs will be designing and producing the meal for the Gala Dinner at the 2019 ceda Conference!

For the last three years, the leading chefs’ association have prepared the dinner for our Thursday evening meal at the annual ceda event and it has always been well received by the attendees of the informal networking dinner. It started as a way of demonstrating our collaboration with other industry bodies and associations and has blossomed into an annual occurrence.

This year, in a break with tradition, the Craft Guild of Chefs are designing and creating the menu for the Friday night Gala Dinner & Grand Prix Awards – headed up by chef Alan Paton.

Alan is a well-known figure in the industry and an active committee member of the Craft Guild of Chefs and of The Master Chefs of Great Britain and works with Springboard Futurechef. Using his 30 plus years of experience he loves mentoring and bringing on the next generation of chefs. Outside of this he runs his own chef consultant company Paton & Co.

Alan has been involved with the preparation of the Thursday night dinner at the ceda Conference for the last four years. This year he will lead a team made up of James Carn, Michael Eyre, Tracy Pereira and Matt Wilby.

ceda Director General, Adam Mason, is looking forward to seeing what Alan and his team produce. He said, “I’m delighted that we are continuing our strong relationship with the Craft Guild of Chefs at this year’s Conference. We have been treated to some outstanding experiences over the last couple of years and I have no doubt that we are in for a culinary treat once again in 2019. The Thursday night dinner is traditionally a more relaxed and informal affair and the food and menus that the Chefs have created has reflected this perfectly. Alan and the team will have full control over the design and delivery of the more formal Gala Dinner menu and I’m excited to see what is delivered on the night.”

The 2019 ceda Conference is starting to take shape with the announcement of our hosts.

We are delighted to welcome back Peter Martin who will, once again, be taking up the role of host for the Business Day, a position he has held for us in the past.

Peter is one of the most authoritative and influential commentators on the eating and drinking out sector, with some 35 years experience as columnist, editor, media owner, market analyst and board consultant.

Peter will also deliver his annual ‘State of the Industry’ presentation as part of the Business Day speaker programme.

Our dinner host for both Thursday night’s informal networking dinner and Friday night’s Gala & Awards Dinner is Chris Brazier.

Chris is Group Event Director for three industry leading trade shows; lunch!, Casual Dining and Commercial Kitchen and so comes with a wealth of inside industry knowledge.

Of the bookings, ceda Director General Adam Mason said, “Working with Peter has been, and continues to be a joy. His knowledge and contacts book is high class and he really understands our event. We received many comments that last year was the best Business Day programme that we have put together – the challenge in 2019 is to raise the bar further. Chris knows the industry inside out and is an effervescent and humorous character and so we are delighted that he will host our Dinners at Conference for the very first time.”

The ceda Conference is the premier event of the Catering Equipment Industry attracting distributors, manufacturers and representatives of other associations representing major end user groups.

The annual two-day event this year takes place at Heythrop Park Oxfordshire on 4^th and 5^th April. The first day is for ceda and Cedabond Members only and includes both the ceda and Cedabond AGM, as well as the ceda Academy Meeting and ceda Platinum Partner Presentations. The second day is the Business Day and is open to anyone within the catering equipment industry. The Business Day speaker programme will be made up of leading and influential figures from a wide range of sectors, all with a connection back to professional catering industry. Last year’s speakers included Suzannah Nichol CEO of Build UK and Tim Martin, Chairman of JD Weatherspoon PLC.

Book your place now!

We are delighted to welcome our first new Member of 2019!

NWCE (North West Catering Engineers) join as a service Member.

NWCE provide an extensive list of services including 24-hour breakdown response and repair, installation (single item to full project) and maintenance of a wide range of equipment such as catering and bakery equipment, refrigeration, ventilation and air conditioning services. They are dedicated to providing high-quality workmanship whilst adhering to the highest health and safety standards.

Ben Odling, Managing Director of NWCE said, “As North West Catering Engineers has grown dramatically over the last four years, we have developed relationships with many members of ceda. On looking into ceda membership ourselves we have identified the many benefits ceda offer from networking to technical documentation, discounted training schemes and general sector guidance and new developments. We also believe being part of an industry body can help us with our strategy for sustained business growth offering new opportunities with other ceda members and the wider industry.”

More details about NWCE can be found on their website: www.nwce.co.uk

We have been able to negotiate a discount for ceda Members at the 2019 British Water FOG (Fats, Oils and Grease) Conference.

Entitled ‘Fighting the Fatberg’, this year’s conference will focus on the ‘very large mass of solid waste in a sewerage system, consisting especially of congealed fat and personal hygiene products that have been flushed down toilets’ (online Oxford Dictionary).

British Water believe the fight against the Fatberg needs to be fought at many different levels, and this year’s conference is the ideal opportunity to bring together a wide range of industries to do that. The conference will hear from those who have direct responsibility for controlling FOG, best practices on kitchen management and design and how to move forward to achieve zero uncontrolled discharges from sewers by 2050.

This unique conference will offer:

– High-level of discussion between all stakeholders: water companies, the regulators and the supply chain.
– Relevant case studies and practical examples from all stakeholders
– Learning from international experiences on this topic
– Innovation and best practices to operate maintenance kitchens and sewers

Date: Wednesday 27^th February 2019

Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm

Location: Cranfield University, Cranfield

Further Information: https://www.britishwater.co.uk/events/fog-conference-2019-422.aspx

Register NOW!

ceda Members can register to attend at a discounted rate of £155 + VAT.

This discount cannot be accessed via the British Water website.

Please contact Katie Moore on 0203 567 0950 or katie.moore@britishwater.co.uk to book.