A team of talented cooks representing West Ham United found a recipe for success to win the Chef Team of the Year Award at the Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards 2020.
Gary Foakes, the Executive Head Chef at the London Stadium, and his team defeated runners-up Tottenham Hotspur to secure the prestigious prize, which was introduced in 2005 to recognise the very best football stadia in the United Kingdom.
Foakes and his team, who design, source, prepare and serve meals to Club London hospitality members at each West Ham United home fixture, were given one hour to prepare, cook and present a three-course menu suitable for their Club Chairman, based around a lamb main course with seasonal ingredients, with an independent panel judging the meal ahead of entries from Spurs and third-place Everton.
We were delighted to take part and represent the London Stadium, West Ham United and Delaware North to showcase our match day offer on the stadium experience platform
Gary Foakes
The Awards night was subsequently cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but the organisers chose to announce the winners of the Chef Team of the Year Award, as the category had already been completed in early March – much to the delight of Foakes.
“We were delighted to take part and represent the London Stadium, West Ham United and Delaware North to showcase our match day offer on the stadium experience platform.
“I am fortunate to have a great team of chefs available to support the delivery of our match day experiences, they are all integral to this achievement and very much valued.”
The Chef Team of the Year Award was sponsored by Chef Works, the country’s leading manufacturer of chef clothing and uniforms, whose Commercial Director Neil Boston was hugely impressed by the entry representing the Hammers.
“This is the second consecutive year that Chef Works has sponsored the Chef Team of the Year award and we continue to be amazed at the quality and professionalism of all of the teams who compete,” said Boston.
“The chef team at West Ham United FC are worthy winners in 2020 and once again prove quite how high the culinary standards in stadia kitchens have reached. Our warm congratulations to West Ham United and to the teams at Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, who were worthy runners-up.”
Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate Gary and his team on their fantastic achievement.
