CESA’s Light Equipment and Tableware (LET) Awards celebrate the distributors and sales people who make the industry tick. Announced during the annual LET Forum, there’s also a special accolade for someone who has made a significant contribution to the LET industry, in the shape of the CESA Donald Bird Award.

The awards are voted for by members of the CESA LET Group. This year the Forum took place at Whittlebury Hall Hotel, Towcester, March 19-20, and the awards dinner was attended by around 130 suppliers, distributors and VIPs. Steve Goodliff, the chair of the CESA LET Group, announced the winners.

The Distributor Cup recognises the distributor who has done most to support the promotion and sales of light equipment and tableware over the past year. The shortlist included Lockhart Catering Equipment and Parsley in Time. However, it was won by Alliance Disposables for the third year running, with Steve Abbott and Carole Halliwell on hand to accept the trophy on behalf of their team. Amongst other things, voters commented on Alliance’s increased sales growth, the breadth of the range and the company’s receptiveness to new product ideas.

The Sales Professional of the Year is all about an individual who has contributed most to sales of utensils and smallwares. Although Ben Clarke nearly made it a double for Alliance, the winner was Antony Chaplain from Brakes Catering Equipment. A colleague commented that what makes Antony a standout professional is the way he is responsive to customers, and how he looks at new and innovative ways to approach the market.

The CESA Donald Bird Award was given to John Gilbert who was the driving force behind the growth of Gilberts (‘big in little things’ as the company was described). “John has always championed light equipment and has unbelievable passion and enthusiasm,” said Steve Goodliff. Entering his 90s, and officially retired, John’s enthusiasm for the industry hasn’t waned and his support continues, including the sponsorship of the recently launched CESA Apprentice Award.

The Catering Equipment Suppliers Association (CESA) is the authoritative voice of the catering equipment industry, representing over 190 companies who supply, service and maintain all types of commercial catering equipment - from utensils to full kitchen schemes.

Carole Halliwell is pictured with Steve Abbott (centre) of Alliance Disposables and Steve Goodliff of CESA.