The judging for the CCM Chefs’ Own-Brand Awards has now been completed, and Cash & Carry Management, in association with the Craft Guild of Chefs, will announce the winners at a prestigious awards lunch at Westminster Kingsway College, London, on Tuesday 5 June.
The judging panel comprised Andrew Green, director of operations at the Craft Guild of Chefs – the leading chefs’ association in the UK; Jason Gordon, general manager of Compass Group’s General Medical Council contract; and Matt Owens, pastry chef at The Grove, a five-star hotel in Watford. Between them, the judges have decades of experience of working as a top chef.
The two days of judging was intense, with several of the own-brand products deemed so good that they have been awarded a ‘Best of the Best’ accolade. Commenting on the standard, Green said: “I have been involved in judging numerous awards but this is the first time they have been solely focused on own-brand. Quite often you find that own-brand is as good as any leading brand but it is not recognised in the same way. These awards address that by highlighting the best wholesaler own-brands in the market place.”
He continues: “People underestimate the value of own-brand products. If more people gave them an opportunity they would be more than pleasantly surprised.”
The judging was conducted in blind tastings, and feedback from the judges will be given on each product.
To book your place at the awards lunch, or for further information, contact Martin Lovell at Cash & Carry Management magazine on 01342 712100 or mail.winlove@btconnect.com.