Home > News>Mellors Crowned Contract Caterer of the Year 2026 – in Triple Award Hat-Trick Triumph! Mellors Crowned Contract Caterer of the Year 2026 – in Triple Award Hat-Trick Triumph! Posted: 5th March 2026 | Category: Achievements We had a night to remember at the Contract Catering Awards 2026, on 3rd March at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London. We were incredibly proud to scoop a massive THREE award winners! The awards evening, hosted by Mark Durden-Smith with commentary from National Lottery legend Alan Dedicoat, the night celebrated the crème de la crème of the contract catering industry. The evening brought together more than 1,000 attendees of the sector’s finest—and Mellors was proud to pick up not 1, not 2, but a whopping 3 prestigious awards! People Development of the Year Award – Jenna Calderbank Marketing Award – Crafted by Mellors Contract Caterer of the Year 2026 It was an incredible moment for #TeamMellors and a special celebration of our 30th milestone year built on passion, dedication, and staying true to the much-loved Mellors culture. We are all extremely proud of this outstanding recognition. People Development Award of the Year This award recognised the outstanding efforts of Jenna Calderbank, our amazing HR Manager, who has completely transformed Mellors health and wellbeing for our 2,000 team of dedicated foodies. Jenna’s commitment to innovative and forward-thinking initiatives have driven meaningful change across Mellors, enhancing staff satisfaction, engagement, wellbeing and career development opportunities—setting a new benchmark within the industry. Jenna said, “It’s all about our people and creating a happy workplace where everyone can thrive! We support our teams in every way possible — from mental health and wellbeing to career development and learning opportunities — helping them grow and reach the next level.” Marketing Award Recognised for the launch of our Crafted by Mellors food concept. This exciting (& delicious) signature collection of dishes has been a legacy to the beloved Mr Tim, celebrating Mellors remarkable 180-year food heritage. The concept introduces four exclusive signature dishes, unique to Mellors and inspired by our rich food heritage. Created to elevate everyday school mealtimes, each dish brings a fresh twist to tradition—delivering an authentic food experience that is unmistakably Mellors. Brought to life through premium, stand-out branding that is deliberately distinct. A sophisticated colour palette and the Crafted by Mellors quality stamp act as a seal of approval—signalling that every dish has been carefully crafted to deliver something truly special. Anna Bamber, Head of Marketing said, “Crafted by Mellors is more than a menu range; it’s a celebration of who we are — our history, our creativity, our commitment to customer experience, and our forward-thinking approach to catering. The overwhelmingly positive response from colleagues, clients, and students demonstrates not only the strength of the marketing and messaging but the power of a concept that feels authentic, exciting, and distinctly Mellors. It is a concept we are incredibly proud of, and one that truly deserves recognition for its innovation, impact, and brand-building success.” Contract Caterer of the Year 2026 The Contract Caterer of the Year 2026 award recognises an exceptional year for Mellors. After celebrating 30 years in education catering (3 delicious decades) – of serving schools—we continue to grow as a proudly independent, family-owned business. Today, our team of 2,000+ dedicated foodies prepare and serves over 130,000 freshly made, nutritious meals every day, all made from scratch with care and passion. Mark Timmerman, Director, delivered a passionate speech on the night, celebrating our people, our values and the teams behind our success. He highlighted our commitment to staying true to our roots while continuing to innovate and inspire through great school food—fuelling minds and nourishing futures. Tony Trainor, CEO of Mellors, said “We’re absolutely over the moon that the Mellors team achieved a HUGE 3 winning awards at the Contract Catering Awards 2026- we really did clean up! At Mellors, we’re passionate about great food and committed to delivering excellence for our customers. ” After celebrating 30 years in education catering last year, we continue to grow stronger than ever. With expansion across Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, London and beyond, we’re excited about what the future holds—and we can’t wait to share what’s cooking next!