Jockey Club Catering is the big winner at the National Racecourse Catering Awards

Jockey Club Catering (JCC) the joint venture between Compass Group and Jockey Club Racecourses, was the big winner at the inaugural Piper-Heidsieck Champagne-sponsored National Racecourse Catering Awards last week, scooping a hat trick of honours.

In addition to taking home the award for best fine-dining experience at a racecourse for its Summer House Restaurant at Newmarket, JCC's Makerfield Lawn Bar at Haydock Park was named best bar at a racecourse.

Bob Reeves, managing director of racing for Compass, who is responsible for heading up the JCC business, was recognised for his outstanding individual contribution to catering in the racecourse industry over the past 25 years, and was awarded the Catering Personality of the Year award.

Reeves said: "Winning the personality of the year award is a huge honour and I'm incredibly proud. I have had the privilege of working with an amazing group of people at Jockey Club Catering, whose vision and talent are responsible for all of our success to date and I would like to thank them for everything they've done".

Arena Leisure's Brasserie Restaurant at Lingfield Park was named best casual dining/fast food mobile experience, while sports stadia caterer Lindley Group received the Best New Catering Concept award for its Bridles Restaurant at Ffos Las racecourse, which it took over the running of in July last year.

Ivor Spreadbury of Merbury Catering Consultants, the organiser of the awards held at Goodwood, said: "Catering plays an integral part of the race day experience and we are thrilled with the support and results of this event. The awards have recognised the very best in racecourse catering and we hope that by highlighting the elite, this will we have a trickle-down effect throughout the industry."

Full list of winners:

Racecourses
Best fine-dining experience at a racecourse - Summer House Restaurant, Newmarket Racecourses
Best casual dining/fast food mobile experience at a racecourse - Brasserie Restaurant, Lingfield Park Racecourse
Best bar at a racecourse - Makerfield Lawn Bar, Haydock Park Racecourse
Best new catering concept at a racecourse - Bridles Restaurant, Ffos Las Racecourse

Suppliers
Best food service distributor - 3663 First for Foodservice
Most reliable and effective catering equipment at a racecourse - Electrolux
Most useful catering disposable product at a racecourse - Chill Bag Company
Best new catering product used at a racecourse - Brothers Cider
Most effective catering system at a racecourse - Service Scan
Catering personality - Bob Reeves, Jockey Club Catering, Compass Group UK & Ireland

Compass Group wins huge £500m racecourse catering deal >>

Lindley Group scoops another racecourse win >>

Arena Leisure names manager for new £29m hotel >>

By Janie Stamford

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