UK caterer BM has announced the winners of its annual celebration of internal talent, the FOODIES, including Owen Stanford who received an inaugural ‘BM Family’ award following the addition of the new category in 2022.
Stanford was recognised for his work around mental health with the BM family and wider community that includes offering support to colleges during the pandemic whilst being on call with community-based search and rescue teams.
Other notable winners on the night included Francois Gautreaux, UK managing director, who picked up the founders’ award for his efforts to keep the business safe during what has been a challenging time for the sector.
Held in central London, more than 300 team members from across the BM business came together to celebrate the achievements of fellow team members.
The FOODIES, made up of more than 25 individual and team awards across 12 categories, were launched in 2017 to recognise the lengths at which team members go to in order to reinforce the company’s values.
Each category is endorsed by a board director and shortlists are developed following the submission of written nominations from BM family team members.
Winners are selected by an internal panel of judges that includes the company’s CEO, executive chairman and departmental heads.
Full list of individual award winners
Fundamentally food award – Tad Anjani, Head Chef
Obsessive about our people award – Murray Soper, Talent and Team Manager
Open and honest award – Alan Pack, Regional Chef Manager
Dedicated to our customers award – Bernard Moray, Catering Manager
Innovative in all we do award – Ewelina Borys, Catering Manager
Entrepreneurial award – Petra Camara, Coffee Specialist
Support you can trust award – Hannah Carmichael, Bid Writer
Charity Champion award – Sunil Varma, Head Chef
Yapster Hero – Kevin Macey, Executive Chef
ED&I award – Gregory Hall, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
BM Family Superstar – Owen Stanford, Regional Chef Manager
Perkee awards – Dominic Perry & Nerida Antoniou, Head Barista and General Manager
The Founders Award – Francois Gautreaux, UK Managing Director
Wendy Bartlett, executive BM Chair, says: “People make the difference to an organisation.
“The awards recognise that difference and we couldn’t be prouder of the impact that those recognised at the awards, and their teams, have on our business.
“They are the secret sauce of BM.”
Stanford adds: “I was both humbled and surprised to be recognised, especially as we work with some great people within our business. It was an absolute honour.”
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