The Country Range Group’s annual ‘An Evening With…’ celebration returns on Thursday 11th December at the National Gallery in London and will this year be hosted by one of the most experienced and versatile broadcasters in the UK – Vernon Kay.
Having been spotted by a model scout at the BBC’s ‘Clothes Show Live’, Vernon began a successful modelling career before moving into TV in 2000 with a regular presenting opportunity on Channel 4’s hugely popular show ‘T4’. Vernon has also hosted a number of high-profile entertainment shows across numerous channels. With a passion for sport, Vernon successfully transferred his passion to the screen, co presenting the live Formula E & NFL coverage for Channel 4, the Golf Sixes event, and The Hero Challenge Golf Series. In 2023, Vernon raised over £6,000,000 for Children In Need, by running an Ultra-Ultramarathon from Leicester to Bolton.
The hotly-anticipated event will be attended by over 200 guests including the owners and senior management of the Group’s members, supplier partners and industry guests who will come together to celebrate the incredible achievements of the last year. Attendees will be treated to a special drinks reception and a bespoke 3-course dinner that has been specially created for the evening by caterers Rhubarb.
The National Gallery was founded in 1824 and houses more than 2,300 paintings from the mid-13th century to 1900s including famous artworks by Vincent van Gogh, Joseph Mallord William Turner and John Constable.
The awards up for grabs on the night celebrate the very best across the Country Range Group. The 2025 Member Awards will recognise excellence in areas including Best Own Brand Performance, Best Branded Performance, Best Digital Activation and the coveted Member of the Year. Meanwhile, the 2025 Supplier Awards will shine a spotlight on outstanding partners, with categories including Service Performance, Best New Supplier, Frozen Supplier of the Year, Own Brand Supplier of the Year, and Branded Supplier of the Year.
Martin Ward, Country Range Group Chief Executive, said:
“Our annual ‘An Evening With…’ awards evening is a key date in the CRG calendar and celebrates the amazing achievements of our Group, our dedicated members, and our valued supplier partners. The National Gallery is a setting steeped in history and creativity and we look forward to inviting guests to step beyond the canvas and into a portrait of our success. With our unique host Vernon Kay being the pièce de résistance to the event, we’re confident the evening will be one to remember.”
About the Country Range Group
With over 30 years of heritage servicing the UK & Ireland’s innovative foodservice sector, the Country Range Group is made up of 16 member businesses and 20 wholesalers – Arthur David, Birchall Foodservice, Blakemore Foodservice, Brook Street Foodservice, Country Valley Foods, Creed Foodservice, Dunns Food and Drinks, Europ Foods, First Choice Foodservice, Harlech Foodservice, Henderson Foodservice, McClures, Millers Foodservice, MJ Baker Foodservice, Savona Foodservice, Total Foodservice, Trevors Foodservice, Waterdene Foodservice and WestCountry Fruit Sales.
In addition to offering the leading brands from around the globe, the Group also offers a three-tiered own brand portfolio under Country Range, Signature by Country Range and Catering Essentials.
Widely recognised by caterers as trusted and reliable brands that deliver consistent quality and value for money without compromising on taste and flavour, the 700 plus products are all developed exclusively for professional caterers and cover grocery, chilled, frozen and non-food.
The Group publishes its trade magazine Stir it up 9 times a year, which features the latest food, drink and industry news, Country Range brand promotions and in-depth trend reports and sector specific guides to support and inspire all foodservice caterers.
The Country Range Group has also entered into a three-year charitable partnership with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. The unique partnership will see the buying group and its members work alongside the charity to raise compassion, understanding and crucially, vital funds, to help make food allergy history.
