The winners of the fourth annual Footprint Awards were revealed on 22 May at a glittering ceremony at the prestigious East Wintergarden (pictured above), after a series of recounts due to nail-bitingly close judging scores across some of the categories.
In an unprecedented turn of events, which organisers hailed as another sign that entry standards in 2014 were exceptionally high, the scores across all categories had to be checked against key criteria three times as the numbers were so tight.
The Footprint Awards
The Footprint Awards are the only scheme of its kind, recognising the outstanding sustainability achievements of businesses – great and small – throughout the foodservice supply chain.
Winners on the night included some of the biggest names in the foodservice and hospitality industries such as Coca-Cola, WRAP and Aramark & Chef Direct, whilst Café Muse at Manchester Museum took home the Community Vote Award – proving that you don’t have to be big to be making a big impact.
The winners of the awards are carefully selected by a panel of expert judges, using strict criteria to measure the sustainable impact of each product, company or service.
Putting sustainability at the forefront of the foodservice industry
Speaking at the event Nick Fenwicke-Clennell, CEO of Footprint said: “Five years on from the first Footprint Awards and I’m delighted to see the progression and number of businesses who are helping to put sustainability at the forefront of the foodservice industry. Whether it’s in the area of natural resource, energy or waste, the sustainability campaigns and initiatives being pioneered by companies large and small have become intrinsic to business.”
Charles Miers, Managing Director of Footprint, commented: “All of this year’s winners highlight the on-going brilliant achievements of some of the biggest and most entrepreneurial names in the foodservice and hospitality industry. But it’s not just large corporations who are helping to make a difference, we want to thank everyone who entered this year’s awards, big and small, for their wonderful efforts to reduce the impact of their processes or services on the environment and on society.”
Pushing the boundaries
As ever the Footprint Awards continued to push the boundaries of the sustainability story by placing a red Massey Fergusson agricultural tractor in the heart of the East Wintergarden, and presenting guests with a live dashboard that contained real time facts and figures about the responsibility, sustainability and provenance of all aspects of the Footprint Awards menu. The brand new technology was created with the help of Green10 and Winnow Solutions and is the first of its type to showcase the sustainability of such an event.
The full list of winners
Sustainable Use of Natural Resources Award
Winner: The Caterers Linen Supply
Runner-up: Mara Seaweed
Waste Prevention and Management Award
Winner: Coca-Cola Enterprises
Runner-up: Lexington Catering
Environmentally Efficient Logistics Award
Winner: Aramark & Chef Direct
Runner-up: Bidvest 3663
Responsible Sourcing Award
Winner: Ampersand
Runner-up: The University of Manchester
Sustainable Supplier Award
Winner: The London Linen Group
Runner-up: Huhtamaki
Energy Efficiency Award
Winner: Wyke Farms
Runner-up: Court Catering Equipment
Sustainable Catering Equipment Manufacturer Award
Winner: Victor Manufacturing
Runner-up: Gram UK
Economic Sustainability Award
Winner: Wyke Farms
Runner-up: The Spirit Pub Company
Stakeholder Engagement Award
Winner: WRAP
Runner-up: Solo Cup Europe
Social Impact and Diversity Award
Winner: Enterprise Inns
Runner-up: CH&Co
Sustainability in Education Award
Winner: Durham University
Runner-up: University of Brighton
Community Vote Award
Winner: Café Muse at Manchester Museum
Runner-up: Green Man Inn at Brackley Hatch
Special Achievement Award
Winner: Nicki Fisher, Pret A Manger
Sponsors
The headline sponsor for the 2014 Footprint Awards is Nestlé Professional. Other sponsors include: Spirit, Kuehne + Nagel, Red Tractor, CH&Co, TUCO, Sodexo, Essential Cuisine and Stalbridge Linen.