Apetito wins Queen's Award for Innovation
Meals on wheels provider Apetito has won a Queen’s Award for Innovation. The annual prize was presented to the Wiltshire-based company last week for delivering meals to people’s homes that arrive when they are still hot. Its Chefmobil system, which heats the meals en route, put it ahead of its rivals. Chief executive Paul Freeston said: “It sends out a clear message to everyone involved including the consumer, that the meals on wheels service has been recognised for quality and innovation.”

Other winners of Queen’s Awards include fresh food solutions company Alan Nuttal, which manufactures hot food display cabinets, and the Venus Company, a ecological café and shop from Devon.  

Eurest signs four more deals
Eurest, the business and industry division of Compass Group, has won a contract to provide catering services at 31 new Ashburne care homes across the UK. The new sites are in addition to the 130 Ashburne sites it currently operates. Combined annual turnover at the new sites will be £3m. Eurest will employ 750 staff on the contracts.

The company has also won a one-year contract to provide catering services at Hereford-based cider business HP Bulmer. The contract, which was won from an in-house operator, will turn over £110,000 per year. Ten Eurest staff will work at the site, which has 400 potential customers.

It also announced it has also won a one-year rolling contract at drilling and technology company Finnforest in Grangemouth. The contract, which was won from Aramark, will turn over £85,000 a year. Two Eurest staff will serve a total of 150 potential customers.

The business arm of Compass also signed a five-year contract with global energy company Kerr McGee in Aberdeen. The contract, which was previously held by Aramark, will employ 17 Eurest staff and feed 280 staff.

Alpha adds deli sandwich store to Belfast City Airport
Alpha Airports opened a new Deli Sandwich Bar at Belfast City Airport on 15 April. It is in addition to the airline caterer’s three existing retail units at the airport. The store will turnover between £10,000-£15,000 per week and will employ 15 members of Alpha staff.