Sodexo celebrates stable of winners at the racecourse

Sodexo is celebrating a staggering five wins and two merits at this year’s National Racecourse Catering Awards.

The annual awards look to recognise excellence in catering at racing venues throughout the UK and the unrivalled portfolio of top racing venues in England and Scotland of Sodexo Prestige saw them scoop the impressive tally of trophies, with Ascot, Perth and Hamilton Park racecourses all enjoying success on the night.

The most prestigious award of the day went to Sodexo Prestige Executive Chef, Steve Golding, who was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement and Catering Personality 2014 title.

Ascot, one of Sodexo Prestige’s flagship venues, picked up the award for ‘Best New Catering Product used at a Racecourse’ in partnership with their supplier, Rare Tea Company - a business offering specialty and rare tea, which has been expertly sourced from across the globe. The Sodexo Prestige team at the iconic racecourse also received the award for ‘Best New Catering Concept at a Racecourse’, in conjunction with On 5 - a new restaurant offering the very best in Grandstand fine dining. This winning partnership also picked up a merit in the ‘Best Fine Dining Experience at a Racecourse’ category.

The same strength of relationships with key suppliers was demonstrated by the wins for Perth and Hamilton Park racecourses.

Perth picked up the ‘Best Local Supplier to a Racecourse’ award through the trusted ‘Wee Pie Company’ - which offers a wide selection of delicious traditionally-cooked wild game pies.

Hamilton Park scooped the ‘Most Effective Brand at a Racecourse’ award with The Ginger Grouse - a premium alcoholic ginger beer made by the beloved Scotch whisky makers, The Famous Grouse. The Lanarkshire course also received a merit in the ‘Best Fast Food Mobile Experience at a Racecourse’ category with Supreme - a brand in mobile catering across the UK, which delivers many different variations of bar and food concepts to race-goers.

Yoon Chang, Sales, Marketing and Strategy Director of Sodexo Prestige, believed the awards demonstrate the success of their strategy to partner with local suppliers and offer the latest innovative products and foods on the market to give the customers at the venues a truly unique and enjoyable experience.

Yoon said: “Ascot, Perth and Hamilton Park have established solid business relationships with innovative local suppliers and this is something that we are very proud of as it is the cornerstone to our strategy and enhances the customer experience at each venue.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the various awards and merits at this year’s Racecourse Catering Awards as we feel our accomplishments at the event are a testament to our firm belief in our strategy and the quality of our suppliers’ products.

“Racecourses are a key sector of the Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events business and we are confident our strong racecourse portfolio will lead to many more awards and greater success in the future.

“Ascot, Perth and Hamilton Park have established solid business relationships with innovative local suppliers and this is something that we are very proud of as it is the cornerstone to our strategy and enhances the customer experience at each venue."

Steve Golding's Lifetime Achievement award came in recognition of the work he has done to develop his team of chefs and introduce innovative ideas to the table, while always working within the client’s budget.

Austin Tilsley, operations director at Sodexo Prestige, said: “This really shows the strength across our racecourse portfolio and particularly how we work effectively with supplier brands for mutual benefit. Great congratulations must be given to Steve Golding, who received a standing ovation. He is a vital part of our team as he looks after one of our most exclusive venues in the UK. His creativity, knowledge of food and clever approach to cooking is what has made him so worthy of this award and we cannot thank him enough for the dedication and hard work he has put into Sodexo Prestige at Ascot throughout the years.”

“The Sodexo Prestige table was by far the most successful on the day and we can all be proud of these awards.”