News

Representatives of the hospitality and catering training and education sector gathered at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham on 12 March to honour colleagues whose dedication, passion and innovative approach champion best practice and enrich education in the UK hospitality industry.  

The 2013 PACE Awards winners are:
•    Partnership with Industry Awards– Blackpool &The Fylde College.
For the award that recognises activities that promote a good experience with another organisation, Blackpool &The Fylde College scooped the title for a multiple partnership that positively impacts the students and the staff.

•    Best Chef Lecturer Awards – Andrew MacLeod, The Manchester College.  MacLeod was praised for his passion and commitment that sees him dedicating much of his own personal time to inspiring students and ensuring they are given every opportunity possible.

•    Best Hospitality Lecturer – LeyoniaDavey, North West Regional College. The judges were impressed by Davey’s use of her industry experience and relationships to enhance her teaching.  She demonstrated a broad range of teaching methods and initiated projects that supported the local community.

•    Best Restaurant Service Lecturer – Josephine Pearce, Bournemouth & Poole College
Pearce was the clear winner thanks to her engaging teaching style that made the judges want to experience her teaching!

•    Award for Environmental Sustainability – The Hospitality & Culinary Arts Department, Salford City College.
An award that recognises the college that has developed the most innovative Sustainability & Environmental Management Project in terms of economic, environmental and social impact, Salford City College ticked many of the boxes.  The project as a whole considered many of the environmental impacts and showing wise investment.  

•    Lifetime Achievement Award– Peter Russum, Russums.
Russum received this deserved award for his unwavering commitment to PACE and catering education.  As the inaugural Chair of Patrons, he has continuedto support the development of PACE as a brand that has respect and value to all involved.  His depth of passion and relentless energy to include all colleges was cited as one of the key factors in the success of PACE.

•    Contribution to Further Education Sector – Gerry Shurman, South Downs College.  
Shurman was honoured for the significant and innovative contributions made during his career to the progression and enhancement of education and training of young people. His passion for the industry and his enthusiastic and energetic support of PACE were praised.

•    Contribution to the Hospitality Sector – Philippe Rossiter FIH, Executive Secretary, The Master Innholders.
Rossiter was recognised for his tremendous input into establishing exceptional working relationships between hospitality employers and the college training sectors.

Geoff Booth, chief executive Officer, PACE, said:  “Against a backdrop of stark funding cuts and over-stretched resources the hospitality and catering training and education sector continues to go from strength to strength.  Educators are working smarter and more creatively to ensure students are inspired, relationships with industry are nurtured, and excellence in education is upheld.”