TUCO Chair Takes Top Catey Home

9th July 2015

Leading professional Organisation for in house caterers, The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) were celebrating last night, after watching its Chair take home the prestigious Public Sector Caterer of the Year Award at the Cateys, in London.

Amidst an air of anticipation Julie Barker, also Director of Accommodation and Hospitality at University of Brighton, was presented with the coveted award for her outstanding contribution to the Cost Sector Catering Industry.  The expert panel of judges commented that Barker’s ability to make significant strides across healthcare, education and institutional catering, both financially and creatively, was testament to her position as TUCO Chair.

Barker's contribution to the cost sector has been highlighted a number of times, and recently Barker became one of the first industry leaders to make the Public Sector Top 100 influencers list for a fourth year running.  As well as driving innovation in her role at University of Brighton, Barker has been Chair of TUCO for 4 years and has been hailed as instrumental in its recent evolution, which has seen it become a driving force in the catering sector as both a member organisation and a highly cost-effective procurement partner.

It wasn't the only TUCO success of the evening, as member David McKown, Head of Training and Quality, Accommodation and Commercial Services at the University of Sheffield won the Training and Education Award - a widely contested category which the judges said had some exceptionally strong entries this year.

Speaking on the night, Julie congratulated McKown on his 'thoroughly deserved win' adding: "We are exceptionally proud of David, whose commitment to driving standards within the industry epitomises the work that so many of our members are doing.  The passion and tireless effort that David has demonstrated through his many initiatives that truly add value to caterers across the country makes him the obvious category winner - a huge well done from us all at TUCO."

In regards to her own award she added: “It was a great honour just to be nominated and so I have to say a huge thank you to judges and more importantly the brilliant team at TUCO who have made this possible.”

Highly regarded as the Oscars of the hospitality industry, the Cateys aim to shine a spotlight on those that demonstrate outstanding talent, passion, skill and achievement across all areas of the sector.  The prestigious awards are renowned for recognising the best in the business and have been setting the benchmark for excellence for the last 32 years.

For more information on TUCO, it's work and its members go to www.tuco.org.  You can also follow TUCO on Twitter using @tucoltd or find it on Facebook - tucoltd.