PACE (Professional Association for Catering Education) celebrated innovation, excellence and dedication in the field of hospitality and catering training and education at the PACE Awards 2014.
The spotlight shone on the recipients of the esteemed Lifetime Achievement and National Chairman’s awards.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Bev Puxley, Late Master, Worshipful Company of Cooks, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contribution to the enhancement of catering education in the UK and his invaluable contribution and guidance to the PACE community.
National Chairman’s Award
Willie McCurrach, City of Glasgow College, received well-deserved recognition in the form of the for his single minded leadership and dedication at the vanguard of Scotland’s catering education sector.
Focussed and dedicated individuals and teams
Geoff Booth, National Chair, PACE, said: “In an increasingly challenging environment, we have witnessed exceptional examples of the talented individuals and teams that make up the education sector. We have witnessed their ability to recruit learners of all ages and deliver innovative and engaging programmes of skills development.
“Above everything else, they are completely focussed and dedicated to ensuring their students receive the best education and training possible. The PACE Awards have revealed numerous examples of creativity and ingenuity that help prepare students for the demands of a career in the hospitality industry. It is also great to witness educators and employers working closely together to achieve their common goals.”
The 2014 PACE Awards winners
- Partnership with Industry Awards – University College Birmingham and Mitchells & Butlers Partnership.
The University College Birmingham and Mitchells & Butlers Partnership scooped the award for demonstrating a genuine working partnership that benefits both parties, particularly in the pub sector that so often gets overlooked.
- Best Chef Lecturer Awards – Lee Hyatt, Accrington & Rossendale College Lee was praised for developing his students through the sharing of knowledge that relates to both work and life experiences, and thus successfully creating highly-employable graduates.
- Best Hospitality Lecturer Award – Philip Tomlinson, New College Nottingham.
Philip triumphed in this category for his innovative introduction of technology into the classroom, which was wholeheartedly embraced by his students and therefore enhanced their development.
- Best Restaurant Service Lecturer – Sam Watkins, Gloucestershire College Sam was the clear winner in this category. The judges were in no doubt that the students held Sam in the greatest of esteem and her successes across the board are testament to this.
- Award for Environmental Sustainability – Miranda Godfrey, Westminster Kingsway College
Miranda’s clear approach to projects, with strong objectives and strategies, made her the obvious judges’ choice for the award that recognises the most innovative sustainability and environmental management project.
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Bev Puxley, Late Master, Worshipful Company of Cooks
- National Chairman’s Award – Willie McCurrach, City of Glasgow College.
The PACE Awards, a highlight of the PACE and People 1st Learning & Development Forum 2014, took place on the evening of 13 March at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham.
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