From Nick Kay
We’ve had plenty to celebrate here at the Wessex Branch.
We’re delighted to have been the recipient of this year’s Chairman’s Choice Award in the 2010 HCA National Awards at Conference in April. And congratulations also to Paul Straughair, Catering Manager, and his team at Salisbury District General Hospital for winning the Catering Team of the Year Award. (Our Branch Chairman, Chris Lay, has been grinning like the Cheshire Cat ever since!) Sixteen Members from the Wessex Branch attended Conference.
Another success for the HCA Wessex Branch was our annual Salon Culinaire, held at Southampton Food Trade College.
The event attracted 45 entries, as well as a number of trade stands, and the day - which also included the live ‘omelette challenge’, won by Chris Lay - was a great success. A special thanks to Denise Richardson, Front of House Manager at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, for organising the event. Next year it will be held in the college’s new catering department. Bring it on!
Our May meeting was hosted by Paul Straughair at Salisbury District General Hospital and opened with a presentation from John Robinson of Country Choice, the retail division of Brakes Food Service. He gave an insight into the company’s ‘Bake and Bite Café’ concept.
We are delighted to have Terry Reeves, who had been absent while on sick leave, back with us, and we’re also pleased to hear that Katie Kearney, Catering Manager at the Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton, has returned to work after a long spell of illness.
Old and new Members have also been welcomed to the Branch, including Tim Pike, Catering Manager, West Dorset General Hospital, returning after a two year absence, along with his new deputy, Derrick Stevens. Derrick, formerly of Cornwall Health Authority, has been appointed to replace Peter Margettes, who sadly passed away last year.
Another new Member is Mhairi Cook, Branch Manager for Bunzl Catering Supplies. Stella Gardener also informed us that she is no longer a ‘lady who lunches’, but is now working for Portsmouth PCT, overseeing facilities in the Hampshire community hospitals.
Finally, our ‘Wessex Branch Cup’ monthly award goes to Paul Straughair and his team at Salisbury for their achievement in the HCA Awards.
Annual Dinner
Plans are progressing for our Branch’s Annual Dinner, which is being held on 22 October at the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton. Please note that you should e-mail scott.jones@hantspt-sw.nhs.uk or adrian.domogala@global-fse.co.uk to book and for more information, and not Dave Rogers as previously advised. Don’t forget to book early as we will shortly be confirming numbers.
Conference Bid
The Wessex Branch is putting its head above the parapet and is bidding to organise the HCA National Conference in 2012. A sub-committee, under the guidance of Stella Gardener, has been formed to formulate the bid, which will be presented in July.
I’m sure Stella would be pleased to receive any positive input and advice from past Conference organisers.
