Compass cooks up success at Public Sector Catering Awards
Compass Group UK & Ireland was recognised for the Training and Apprenticeship award for its pioneering Forward with Marcus Wareing programme, plus ESS executive chef, Matt Lord has taken home the Chef of the Year trophy, at the prestigious 2025 Public Sector Catering Awards.
The annual ceremony was held at the Hilton London Metropole on Thursday 24th April, recognising teams and individuals who have provided exceptional and outstanding work in the public sector environment.
Training and Apprenticeship Award, sponsored by Brakes – Forward with Marcus Wareing
This prestigious programme, which launched in 2021, has seen over 60 senior chefs graduate and is now on its fourth cohort of participants. Guided by Marcus Wareing and delivered in partnership with national hospitality training provider, HIT Training, it was specifically designed and launched to support senior culinary talent. The best-in-class apprenticeship equips chefs with exceptional culinary skills and a fundamental focus on subjects including sustainability, commerciality, and people. It is brought to life through added value enrichment activities, delivering practical experiences to the group.
Chef of the Year, sponsored by Unox – Matt Lord, ESS, Executive Chef
Matt was acknowledged for leading the way, developing recipes for an innovative new Defence dining offer, as part of the most significant change to military catering in almost 20 years. Alongside his day job, Matt also goes above and beyond showing constant commitment to developing his team and engaging with the wider industry and local communities. He spearheads programmes such as the Junior Chef Academy, which is designed for schoolchildren, helping to teach them culinary skills across a 10-week course. A believer in constant development, Matt took part in the first Marcus Wareing programme.
Jonathan Foot, Director of Skills and Early Careers at Compass Group UK & Ireland said: “The Forward with Marcus Wareing programme is a brilliant example of where we have developed a tailored initiative to meet the needs of our people and the business, and it’s fantastic to see it going from strength to strength and being recognised in the industry. I’d particularly like to thank Marcus who dedicates a lot of time and commitment to supporting our talented people to become even better!”
“Huge congratulations to Matt on winning the accolade of Chef of the Year. I’m especially proud when I see the development and progress of the people who have benefited from programmes like Forward with Marcus Wareing. He really is someone that has taken on this opportunity and continues to thrive. A very well-deserved win.”
Matt Lord commented: “I am so honoured to be named Chef of the Year, amongst some very tough competition. Within my role, I take pride in my responsibility to deliver great tasting, nutritious food to fuel our Armed Forces. Beyond that, I love to support programmes like the Junior Chef Academy – passing on knowledge and skills for the talent of the future. I’m privileged to have taken guidance from Chef Marcus during my time on the Forward programme, and it’s an honour to pass that on to educate and inspire the next generation.”
Marcus Wareing said: “We created the Forward programme, designed to support more senior culinary talent and we continue to work with chefs to push their skills. Every cohort brings something new and the people taking part bring fresh ideas, amazing skills and enthusiasm every time. Huge congratulations to everyone involved and well done to Matt on his win too.”
