Jane Wakeling, regional sourcing manager for Compass Group UK & Ireland, and Andrew Aston, group chef for Restaurant Associates, collected the award from Joanna Lumley, who is fronting this campaign for Compassion in World Farming.

 

Sue Thompson, business director for Restaurant Associates said: "This is a fantastic achievement for our team, especially as we are the only contract caterer to receive this recognition in this year's awards.

 

"Since we launched a Lifestyle focus within Restaurant Associates in May 2007, we have been working hard to consolidate the best of what we do in our business, which is often seen as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It's how we care for the environment, our people, source the most ethically sound products and suppliers and put our time and effort back into the community. Committing to the Good Egg Policy is an essential step that we are taking to reassure our clients that we are fully dedicated to playing our part towards a more sustainable future."

 

Restaurant Associates has aligned its purchasing procedure with the Good Egg Policy by 2012.

 

Mike Walden, purchasing and supply chain director for Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: "To establish a guaranteed supply of over 3 million free range eggs per year to Restaurant Associates, that would meet our standards of safety and quality, was the result of a great deal of work and a dedicated team effort from buyers, suppliers and distributors alike. The change to free range eggs will in effect, release 11,000 battery cage hens from cages; a definite step towards better levels of animal welfare."

 

The 2008 awards saw a number of major foodservice operators being recognised for their efforts, including Unilever Europe, Cadbury's, McDonalds Europe, Subway, Cooperative Food, Sainsbury's and Waitrose. Compass Group's Restaurant Associates, was the only contract caterer to be recognised in this year's awards.