The Judges

Best Hotel Restaurant

Sponsored by: Allstaff Employment

Aidan Fraser

No early signs of a career in Catering or Recruitment. In fact wanted to be a Coal Miner or a Pirate and became very disillusioned with school when these options were not encouraged. Reluctantly accepted a "Work Experience Placement" in a hotel kitchen as 3rd choice.

Surprised to discover that being a Chef was actually exactly what I wanted and needed. I joined for three weeks and didn't leave for many years and even rediscovered a love of education when I enrolled on a Part Time course at Chelmsford College to gain an NVQ in Catering and Hospitality.

I singed my forearms and sliced my fingers in Hotel Restaurants, Fine Dining Rosette Restaurants, Gastro Pubs and Event companies. Yes it was long hours and extremely hard work but the opportunity to work with great teams passionate about good food kept me in place for some time.

I moved into catering recruitment in 2003 with Allstaff Employment. I immediately started to notice the similarities - High pressure, fast paced and working within close knit teams that all seem to enjoy eating out and drinking too much. Customer Service and discretion is essential, and the satisfaction of seeing a job well done. I'm still passionate about food and drink but at work these days I concentrate more on finding the right mix of staff to blend into a business. It could be a fantastic F.O.H Manager to help a restaurant's reputation rise or a hot new chef keen to set a team's imagination alight.

So whether you are looking for a Commis or a Head Chef a Waiter or General Manager - if you are short of staff, think of Allstaff!

Paul Saunders

Paul is the owner of Allstaff Employment . A Recruitment Agency based in Chelmsford High Street that has for many years assisted a wide range of business in recruiting staff across many business sectors.

Over time it became apparent that the Catering Industry in Essex had space for a recruitment agency that wanted to operate fairly, consistently, and honestly. Still working in other industries Paul recruited ethical Consultants with Catering Experience to build a specialist Catering Recruitment Team.

He is very proud to be involved in the judging process for an award that he considers raises the profile of the Food and Drink industry in this area.