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Britain's group and chain restaurant sector continues to go from strength to strength. The past five to 10 years has seen an explosion in casual dining concepts, from boutique groups such as Giraffe and Gourmet Burger Kitchen to giants such as The Restaurant Group and PizzaExpress.
The ongoing success of this sector makes the award of the Catey for Restaurateur of the Year - Group a tough choice. However, judges were clear that when it came to voting for this year's winner, one man, the chief executive of Paramount, Nick Basing, stood head and shoulders above the rest.
Nominator David Coffer of property agents, Davis Coffer Lyons, said: "Currently, it is difficult to see who is rivalling Nick Basing in the sector when it comes to the standards of professional operation, financial analysis and management."
"It's a year when he stands separate from anyone else in his sector," agreed one of this year's judges. "Other people tick some of the boxes, but he ticks every one."
So what explains this unrivalled admiration for Basing's performance? Judges agreed that since assuming the position of chief executive of the former pub company in 2003, Basing had transformed the ailing business into a multi-branded, success story.
He has closed unprofitable stores, overhauled the menus, increased the seating, reduced costs, boosted the training budget five-fold, rationalised the supplier list and improved the dining experience.
Innovation was also a key factor in the judges' minds. Constantly driven, Basing is still experimenting with various different products - including the Brasserie Chez Gérard concept - and overseeing a rapid expansion of the group.
In the last year alone Basing orchestrated the acquisition of former Restaurant Group Brand Caffè Uno, doubling Paramount's portfolio of properties in one swoop. Only a few months on, Paramount's latest acquisition was already performing better than under its previous ownership.
Next on the hit list was an astute tie-up with budget hotel chain, Premier Travel Inn. A Caffè Uno will open in Premier Travel Inn's new Hampstead hotel and the word on the street is the partnership has the potential to go a lot further than that.
Basing said: "We are thrilled to partner our brands, Caffè Uno and Brasserie Chez Gérard, with Premier Travel Inn. I expect it will be the start of a fruitful relationship for many years to come. Hotel-based restaurants are a key strategic channel to expand our brands."
One judge commented: "He has taken Groupe Chez Gérard from being quite a painful business to a huge success. Not only has he developed the brand along the way with initiatives such as Brasserie Chez Gérard, he has pulled off a very successful deal with the acquisition of Caffè Uno."
And beyond all that success? "Nick's a really great guy," agreed the judges. "He has proven his capabilities a hundred times over at transforming the financial performance of the business but he's never arrogant about his success. He's just incredibly driven."
BOXTEXT: Judges
Mark Derry, chief executive, Loch Fyne Restaurants
Ann Elliott, managing director, Elliott Independent
Andrew Guy, managing director, Gourmet Holdings
Alan Hill, director of food and beverage, Gleneagles, Auchterarder
James Horler, chief executive, La Tasca Group
Douglas Jack, director, Panmure Gordon & Co (UK)