By Angela Green: Kitchen Porters end 2023 on a high.
The recently launched Kitchen Porters Club, Kitchen Porter of the Month has ended 2023 with a record number of winners.
Since launch the nominations have grown, in numbers, and in reach, seeing restaurants, caterers, hotels, pubs, schools, colleges, care homes, sports clubs and many others get involved.
The volume and worthiness of the nominations saw multiple winners being announced from month one and ends the year with four.
In no particular order the December Kitchen Porters of the Month are…
- From: Alex McCarey (second chef), Greenacres, Wellfield Close, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 0BU www.quantumcare.co.uk/care-homes/greenacres
“Maria Browning – She is an exceptional worker, always gives her all and keeps the kitchen going. Engages with the residents in such a caring manner whether she has time or not!”
- From: Daniel Jones, The Crown, Church Road, Stowupland, Suffolk IP14 4BQ www.thecrownstowupland.co.uk
“Mathew will always do anything to help anyone, customer, or coworker. Grinds every day even though battling with mental health. Wouldn’t swap him with anyone in the world.”
- From: Jonathan Pearson, The Railway Inn, Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6 9AA www.therailwaywesterfield.co.uk
“Our KP Corey, alongside his college course works serious hours every week. He puts in the most effort I’ve ever seen. His mum called me and said her son who can’t read or write and has severe learning difficulties really could do with a shot. And I’m glad I gave him one. He’s terrific. He bikes through rain, wind and snow miles and miles to wash up and do the potatoes for us. Often not finishing until very late at night. Always with a smile on his face.”
KP Rokun Chowdhury and Cyrus Todiwala OBE From Cyrus Todiwala, Café Spice Namasté, 1-2 Lower Dock Walk, Royal Albert Wharf, London E16 2GT. www.cafespice.co.uk/
“It’s great that the Kitchen Porters Club is giving Kitchen Porters more recognition, they are after all the backbone of the kitchen. Our KP, Rokun Chowdhury, always has our kitchen clean and sparkling. He is hardworking and diligent, and now learning to help the chefs at busy times. He is simply brilliant.”
The Kitchen Porters Club is Sponsored by Meiko UK, and Managing Director Paul Anderson is one of the monthly competition judges.
Anderson remarked on the launch and the industry’s reaction telling us: “Since we launched in Sept the response has been remarkable and the judging rewarding, as we see so many kitchen porters being recognised by their colleagues.
“Every sector of our industry is actively involved, nominating every level of kitchen porter from team supervisors to trainees, across the UK. Meiko are delighted to be working with the Kitchen Porters Club to make this happen and look forward to continuing to do so throughout 2024.”
It was also notable that a kitchen porter event took the number one spot in H&C News’ most read articles 2023.
If you work alongside a Kitchen Porter that warrants a nomination for the Kitchen Porters Club January 2024 Kitchen Porter of the Month, just complete the form below.
