Mellors SPARKLE SPECTACULAR Party 2026 Raises £3,575 for Little Lights.

On Friday 16th October, Mellors catering teams from across the country came together at Lancashire Manor Hotel for our biggest Autumn Party yet! With a record-breaking 250+ catering managers joining us, it was a fantastic evening celebrating our people, our achievements and our shared passion for serving nutritious, delicious school meals.

This year’s theme was all about SPARKLE, and our fabulous foodie teams certainly understood the assignment! From dazzling outfits to plenty of shimmer and shine, our teams brought the sparkle in style!

After a busy year (especially September) doing what they do best, it was time to let their hair down, celebrate everything that makes Mellors special and enjoy a well-deserved evening.

Mellors teams were welcomed with fizz and fabulous canapés before tucking into a luxury hot buffet and a show-stopping trio of desserts, lovingly crafted by our Executive Chef, Hannah.

The evening was packed with memorable Mellors moments, from our charity raffle in support of Little Lights and the fun-filled 360 video experience to gaming tables and a dance floor that was buzzing all night long! Together, we raised an incredible £3,575 for Little Lights! This fantastic total came from our charity raffle and the generous donations of guests who chose to donate their room deposits at checkout. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who contributed and helped make a difference!

The evening also gave us the opportunity to recognise some of the brilliant teams and individuals who go above and beyond every day, with awards for Small Unit of the Year, Large Unit of the Year and the Bill Kelly Special Recognition Award.

Congratulations to…

• Small Unit of the Year – North West Ambulance Service, Ruth Notley
• Large Unit of the Year – Stoke 6th Form College, Wayne Powell (& Golden Whisk winner 2026)
• Bill Kelly Special Recognition Award – John Crofts, Blessed Trinity College

A special thank you to our amazing suppliers who generously donated the fantastic raffle prizes (Dole, Dunsters, BidFood, Kitchequip, UTG, DCS, Love Joes, Pasta King, TUGO and Unilever) and to everyone who joined us! We look forward to seeing you all again next year!

At Mellors, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Every day, we’re grateful for their dedication, creativity, and hard work in crafting wholesome, tasty, and nutritious meals for students in schools.

Here are some of our favourite moments and highlights from the night!