The Education and Training Award, now in its fourth year, recognises individuals who have demonstrated an innovative approach to training and continuous learning.

Last year Cyrus Todiwala, proprietor and executive chef of the Café Spice Namaste restaurant group, was chosen for his immense contribution to training in the restaurant industry. In 1999 he and two other entrepreneurs lobbied the Government for the money required to launch the Asian & Oriental School of Catering in London's Hoxton, providing the often-marginalised Asian restaurant business a lifeline of young, well-trained talent.

Todiwala is also a supporter of Springboard UK (he won the Springboard Special Award towards the end of last year) and regularly gives talks and cookery demonstrations in addition to his day job. He is a supporter of Investors in People, and in 2000 he was appointed MBE for his contribution to education.

Nevertheless, getting a Catey still came as a big surprise to Todiwala - partly because the secret was so well kept. "In the months running up to the awards, I met so many Caterer and Hotelkeeper staff who knew about it and they never let on. When I told someone that I thought I wouldn't be able to come because of other commitments, they let out a gasp but we never cottoned on," he reveals. "The importance of the award sank in only after the response from colleagues, friends, peers and senior members of the industry, which was totally overwhelming. I have a pile of letters to show for it."

As someone joining the judging panel for this year's award, Todiwala says he will be looking for someone that is a role model. "I have a burden on myself with the award but it is one that I can carry easily," he continues. "It can have various implications on the individual and if I were not as deeply rooted in training and development as I am, it would perhaps knock me back a few paces. Requests for me to do various things have increased dramatically and people have begun to look at me in a different light."

So what does winning a Catey mean to Todiwala? "It means the pinnacle of achievement. Yet sometimes I do have a guilty feeling that maybe I have just been lucky," he adds, modestly.

Previously John Guthrie, head of management development at Hilton International, picked up the award for his work in overseeing the creation of the Hilton University - an e-learning initiative set up in 2002. An enormously ambitious project, the university now helps 80,000 employees in more than 70 countries to develop their careers, and puts learning firmly at the heart of Hilton's business plan.

Judges' criteria

The Education and Training Award will go to someone who:

• Has demonstrated an innovative approach to continuous learning with particular regard to the needs of the hospitality industry.
• Has developed strong links with the industry.
• Has developed initiatives in training that have added value.
• Has demonstrated an ability to adapt to the changing needs of the market.
• Has made a contribution over and above their job.