Beverley Baker wins Industry Recognition accolade at Public Sector Catering Awards
A member since its inception in 1990, Beverley has served twice as national chair contributing to the development and growth of the association and is currently chair of member services, developing industry-specific products and services to support excellence in school food.
Beverley represented the school food industry working with Government on the development of the first nutrient-based standards for school food and was a board member of the Children’s Food Trust and the Institute of Hospitality.
Speaking in the citation Andrew Archer, managing director of Dewberry Redpoint, said: “Some people commit themselves fully to their industry for an entire career. They didn’t just commit to doing an amazing job they also gave an immense amount of time to the industry they grew to love.
“I won’t tell you how many years they worked in the school catering industry, but let’s just say it was over 40, and for every moment of that, what drove them was a desire to make the sector better and for children to be fed the best and most healthy and nutritious food possible.
“They worked in the industry through many challenges including the BSE outbreak, salmonella in eggs, horse meat contamination, foot and mouth and of course ‘Turkey Twizzlers’. She has been a huge supporter to many people in this room and when I first started working in public sector catering she was chairing LACA.
“She was an immense pillar of strength for me at the time and since and I owe much to her for that friendship and mentoring. She is an example of what it means to care passionately about the job you do and the people you serve. The Industry Recognition Award goes to Beverley Baker.”