Matt Lord, Regional Executive Chef, has won the Public Sector Chef Award at the prestigious Craft Guild of Chefs Awards.
Held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel London on 16th June, the awards honour the exceptional talent across the whole of the UK's chef industry, with the public sector category focused on high volume catering that incorporates nutritional balance and innovation.
Matt was recognised for his inspirational leadership during the creation of innovative concepts and over 400 dishes for our new Defence dining offer, as well as his commitment to developing his team, engaging with the wider industry and delivering social value initiatives including our Junior Chef Academy.
The title is the culmination of a brilliant few months for Matt during which he has also won Contract Catering Magazine’s Development Chef of the Year and Public Sector Catering’s Chef of the Year.
Matt commented:
“I’m incredibly proud to have received the Public Sector Catering Chef Award 2025 from The Craft Guild of Chefs!
In our industry, a Craft Guild of Chefs award is truly the pinnacle of recognition. I’ve watched so many talented peers and colleagues earn “the jacket” over the years, always inspired, always dreaming, but never quite believing I’d be among them one day.
I’m lucky to work alongside an incredible team of chefs, driven by passion, creativity, and teamwork. Massive thanks to Scott Freeman for the nomination and for being such an inspirational leader. This year has been nothing short of epic, and this award is without doubt a career highlight!”
