President Lord Philip Hunt noted the HCA's 70th anniversary coincided with the 70th birthday of the NHS, saying HCA members had played an important part in the success of ther NHS over the years and were well placed to contribute yet more in the future.
Among the night's award winners was Chris Neale, head of catering at Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust, who was awarded the accolade of Caterer of the Year, while Catering Service of the Year went to Catering Services, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.
The Chairman's Choice Award, decided by HCA chair Stewart McKenzie, went to the association's Wessex Branch and the Wilma Wilkie Outstanding Service Award was presented to Paul Birch, of the HCA's Northern Branch.
There were awards to former chairs Richard Dyson, Michael Hawkes and Paul Reed, while the retiring Mike Hall was presented with a special award for his service to the HCA over many years.
A charity draw raised £5,400 on the night for the Sepsis Trust, with this figure boosted by more the £3,000 generated by the forum management team from a sponsored 70km walk.