FEA opens entries for Apprentice of the Year and Charitable Endeavour awards

FEA opens entries for Apprentice of the Year and Charitable Endeavour awards
Winners to be announced during the 2025 FEA Industry Conference

FEA Industry Conference 2025, Wednesday 12th to Thursday 13th November 2025, De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel

Is your apprentice the UK’s number one?  Has your company taken up an outstanding challenge for charity?  FEA has opened up entries for two of the annual awards that are announced during the association’s industry conference, which takes place this year at the De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel on 12^th and 13^th November.   The two awards are The Apprentice of the Year, which is announced at the Gala Dinner of Thursday 13^th, and the Charitable Endeavour Awards, with the winners being revealed during the Opening Dinner on Wednesday 12^th November. 

The Apprentice of the Year is supported by John Gilbert and last year’s winner was Tyler Speight of Advance Group.  Along with the prestige of the award, this year the winner takes home a £1,000 cash prize and a bursary covering the cost of participating in FEA’s Principles of Foodservice (PFS) and Certified Food Service Professional (CFSP) courses.  All entrants making the shortlist will receive an invitation to the Conference and the Gala dinner, with overnight accommodation and travel costs. 

Entry is open to new starters, apprentices, and trainees from any discipline within a FEA member company.  To nominate an entrant, and for information about the award, visit fea.org.uk/involvement/apprentice-of-the-year (tinyurl.com/4uzwnkke). 

The Charitable Endeavour Awards are sponsored by Meiko, with three categories, covering company, team, and individual.  Submissions can be for standalone events or ongoing charitable work.  Last year’s winners included Unox, whose team raised £22,000 for the Burnt Chef Project by carrying a 150kg combi oven almost to the summit of Ben Nevis.  Their efforts exemplified the awards’ objective to celebrate the effort, dedication and achievement of FEA members in supporting charitable causes.

For information about the Charitable Endeavour awards and to enter your company, team,  or individual visit fea.org.uk/involvement/charitable-endeavour-award (tinyurl.com/49682zbt). 

Nominations for both the Apprentice of the Year and Charitable Endeavour awards are free, with the deadline being September 26th, 2025. Both awards are easy to enter with nominees simply needing to download the respective award nomination document and then upload their finalised entry via the applicable submission form.

The other awards announced during the Industry Conference are the FEA Chair’s Awards and the Outstanding Contribution to the Foodservice Industry Award.

For delegate packages and information about the FEA 2025 Industry Conference click here.