Ten years and counting: Kitchen Porter of the Year celebrates its first decade with biggest prizes ever

Once again it’s time to nominate the heroes hidden in your kitchen

2023 sees Kitchen Porter of the Year reach its tenth anniversary. The competition, which is organised by Winterhalter UK and The Caterer, aims to celebrate the amazing work kitchen porters do in professional kitchens across the UK.

Kitchen porters play an essential role in keeping kitchens organised and running smoothly. Not only is the work itself vital, but as can be seen in how many of the industry’s top names started out as KPs, it’s the ideal foundation to a great career in foodservice.

Since its launch in 2013, hundreds of businesses and organisations across the UK have nominated their star KPs, recognising the exceptional yet so often unrecognised and unrewarded work they do.

“The past few years have been pretty tough for a lot for the industry,” says Stephen Kinkead, managing director of Winterhalter UK. “Like everybody, KPs have had to work harder than ever to adapt to these trying times, so it’s never been more important to highlight their brilliant work.”

This year’s prizes are the biggest to date. The grand winner will not only bag a brand new Winterhalter worth £10,000 for their workplace, they’ll also get £1000 of vouchers for themselves as well as an exclusive celebration event in London for their friends and family. Two runners up will each get vouchers worth £250, and because every KP deserves recognition every nominee will receive an exclusive KP of the Year apron.

“I’ve been a KP, it’s a job that requires dedication and skill,” says Stephen. “Down the years we’ve seen countless examples of KPs going above and beyond in all sectors of the industry, from fast, casual to fine dining, from hospitals, schools and prisons and football grounds to oil rigs, and we hope that our tenth year sees yet more great companies and organisations nominating their kitchen porters for this award.”

To enter, simply fill in the form at https://caterersearch.wufoo.com/forms/kp-of-the-year-2023. Closing date for entries is 25th August 2023, and the winners will be judged by a panel of some of the biggest names in the foodservice industry.

Winterhalter provides a total solution for dishwashing and glasswashing, from pre-sales advice to after-sales service, training and maintenance, with sustainability fitted as standard.  Alongside its market-leading dish washers and glass washers, the company’s range includes utensil washers, advanced water treatment machines, and cleaning detergents and rinse aids.  For further details, call Winterhalter on 01908 359000, visit www.winterhalter.com/uk-en/ or email info@winterhalter.co.uk.