Now in its second year, the ceremony took place during the three-day TUCO Conference with the full winners listed below:
- Rising Star Award - Helen Earwaker, Royal Holloway, University of London
- Innovation Award – University of Reading
- Sustainability Award – University of Cambridge
- Team of the Year – Delivered Hospitality Service Team, Cardiff University
- Member of the Year – Royal Holloway, University of London
- Outstanding Achievement Award - Helen Anzani, University of South Wales
Brand new for 2018 was the final award – Outstanding Achievement – which went to Helen Anzani from the University of South Wales.
Praised for her “commitment and dedication for changing the catering offer to rival and beat the high street in its diversity and quality of offer.”
TUCO also recognised for her dedication “in helping TUCO grow into the institution it is today, and for her unstinting support for the Welsh university sector.”
Anzani said: “I’m honoured to win this award. TUCO is in my heart, and to win this award is a wonderful way to end my career.”
Royal Holloway is also celebrating - having taken home both Member of the Year and its employee, Helen Earwaker, who was name Rising Star.
Earwaker commented: “It means the world (to win). It’s so kind and wonderful to be recognised.
“TUCO is a brilliant organisation. It’s my first conference and it really feels like a family.”
Head of catering and conference services at the university, Manish Shah, added: “It’s incredible. We’re one of the smaller universities compared to many here, and TUCO is a great support for us.
“It offers us great opportunities, but TUCO networking is one of the most valuable reasons for us being members.”
TUCO chair, Matthew White, concluded: “Congratulations to all deserving winners!
“It was very difficult for our judges to decide on the winners from the talented and hard-working list of finalists.
“As an organisation, we want to show our appreciation for every effort and contribution to the industry.”