The Association of Catering Excellence announced the winner of the 2022 ACE Robyns Award at its annual summer party held at Rotunda Bar & Restaurant, King’s Place, London last night. Caroline Bacigalupo from BaxterStorey was declared the overall winner in front of over 150 hospitality guests. These honours, which are sponsored by Troika, were originally launched in 2016, in memory of Robyn Jones OBE as she was someone who had inspired so many people and loved to celebrate success in the foodservice industry.
Caroline is currently working for BaxterStorey as the account director on the NatWest contract. She played a pivotal role in securing the contract extension for the next five years and has been offered a role within Holroyd Howe, heading up Scottish operations and business development, starting in August. Her journey with BaxterStorey has given her this exciting opportunity to move into another part of the WSH family and progress her hospitality career.
The runner up for this year is Lily Bell from BaxterStorey who is an account manager for Visa Europe, one of BaxterStorey’s flagship contracts. She manages a team of 32 providing restaurant, hospitality, and event services across four locations. Lily has a wellbeing led approach to management and is a mental health first aider. In March, she launched BaxterStorey’s first Wellbeing Hub with support from The Burnt Chef Project.
Taking third place and highly commended is Joanna Whalley from CH&Co. She is currently working alongside the Workplace MDs, delivering the strategy across the sector, and advising on board decisions. She leads a team of 29 people who not only produce the management accounts and forecasts, but also business partner the operators to help them deliver their commercial targets.
Sarah Prentice, who took over the reign as ACE Chair from Sue Thompson at last night’s event said: “These awards are very special to the ACE committee and wider foodservice industry. Robyn Jones was so passionate about the mentoring, training and development of young talent and we wanted to recognise her incredible achievements whilst also putting a spotlight on the opportunities within contract catering. This accolade celebrates those team members aged 35 and under who have what it takes to make a real difference in the industry. The standard of entry this year was very high, making it a difficult decision for our judges but Caroline is a very worthy winner. It’s been so good to be able to hold these awards once again and network face to face with friends from right across the industry.â€
The other finalists for 2022 were Wilfred Barnham from Green & Fortune, Tetiana Bartashchuk from Vacherin, Leo Coates from Bennett Hay, Anthony Dye from Sodexo, Ryan Lewis at Wilson Vale, Steven Lickley, Vacherin and Michaela Mulvey from Bartlett Mitchell.
Troika have been involved with the event since its inception. It is a recruitment company specialising in senior managerial, director and board level appointments across the hospitality industry delivering assignments for clients within contract catering, hotels, venues, branded restaurants, fine dining and emerging concepts.
For more information about the ACE Robyns Awards or Summer Party please contact vic@acegb.org or call 07860 201651.
