Talkington Bates - Bespoke Contract Caterers


	Talkington Bates Sees Off Challengers to Retain Epson Talkington Bates Group, has seen off the challenge of several competitors to retain its long-established business relationship with a major global imaging and innovation company. Talkington Bates has been awarded a new contract by Epson (UK) Limited to continue providing contract catering services at its UK headquarters in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. The business was awarded – for another 12 months – following a competitive pitch involving Talkington Bates, the incumbent, and a number of its rivals. Paul Bates, Talkington Bates Group Managing Director, said: “I am delighted we have retained this long-established business which means we are able to continue building an excellent working relationship with Epson and its staff. “The fact that we were successful in such a challenging competitive pitch against many of our key competitors says everything about our passion, the quality of our offering and the expertise of our people. It proves once again that we have an enhanced offering that our competitors simply cannot match!” The new agreement between the companies continues a relationship that was first established 12 years ago – just three years after Talkington Bates was formed.
	Talkington Bates Gears Up for Organic Era with Fresh Moves on Milk and Veg The independent contract caterer, is reinforcing its environmentally-conscious credentials by switching to organic milk for beverages at selected sites and by making organic vegetables available at all sites. The company is meeting growing client and consumer demand for organic fare with its spring initiative at some of its coffee bars including the flagship Northern Trust site in Canary Wharf. The outlets now only use organic milk in their beverages which is available to their diners at no extra cost and communicated via posters, table-talkers and site intranet campaigns. >> Read more
	Salon Culinaire at Hotelympia 2012 Congratulations to Anabella Rodrigues, Sous Chef at Northern Trust, and Robert Parish-Smith, Relief Chef Manager for their entry into the Salon Culinaire at Hotelympia on Thursday 1st March. They won the Hygiene Award and received a Merit for their entry in the Major International Contract Catering/Football Stadia Awards. Their impressive menu was a Starter of Lasagne of crab and girolles, emmental foam and lobster emulsion and a main dish of Sautéed quail breast with confit of leg and quail pie served with celeriac purée, baby vegetables and a vanilla scented jus.
	Cost Sector Catering Awards WINNER! Congratulations to Fiona, winner of this year’s Cost Sector Catering Award for the Social Care Sector. The Judges whittled down the record number of nominees to a final three in each category of the Awards. The three finalists all went to a glamorous award ceremony dinner on April 12th at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel where Fiona received her award. These awards are decided by the judges after careful consideration. They decided to recognise and acknowledge Fiona's huge contributions to the Social Care catering sector. Click here for more about Cost Sector Awards.
	Contracts worth more than £5 million Include Saxon Weald Homes, which operates retirement and extra care schemes in Sussex and Hampshire. Talkington Bates Midlands, a division of Talkington Bates group, will provide lunch and day-care catering for residents under the three-year agreement worth £3.5 million. “This is an important win for us in the extra care sector, a growing part of our business that we are developing with innovative ideas, inspiring both the clients and residents, said Talkington Bates’ Midlands managing director Fiona Hopkinson."We will operate 17 extra care sites in our portfolio and certainly recognise the importance of nutrition and the opportunity for the residents to meet together on a daily basis and enjoy a freshly prepared wholesome meal with friends and family." The company will also cater for staff at independent chemical company Lyondell Basell's Milton Keynes manufacturing site. This three-year contract is worth £165,000. The caterer will also provide a menu for staff at tyre company Cooper Tire, at its European headquarters in Melksham, Wiltshire.
	Back " To The Floor" Paul Bates The Group Managing Director of independent contract caterer, Talkington Bates, has returned "to the floor‟ to cook up a special menu for diners at one of the company‟s flagship sites. Paul Bates, who is a trained chef, created a Thai-themed menu and prepared it centre stage in the cooking station of the staff restaurant‟s serving area enjoyed by staff of the investment bank, Northern Trust, in a one-off return to the kitchen. Bates said: “This was a great opportunity to return to my first love, cooking, and to experience a day in the kitchen alongside our established catering team preparing and cooking a special menu. I really loved the experience and the challenges I faced during what was a busy day for me and my team and I just hope that the people who dined in the restaurant that day enjoyed it as much as I did!” Talkington Bates provides a full catering solution for the company including a Directors‟ Dining service along with a Deli, Coffee Bar and „Grab & Go‟ offering for employees working at the site in London‟s Canary Wharf.
	British Food Fortnight in Style We will once again be celebrating the annual event at its sites. The independent contract caterer will be staging a series of promotions with an increased focus on seasonal British food and there will be a selection of dishes made using locally sourced produce added to the menu every day during BFF. It is the fourth year that the company has run promotions to raise the profile of BFF – highlighting its strong commitment to supporting the development of home-produced food and reducing "food miles." The company is also creating a special Talkington Bates signature sausage – produced using 100% British ingredients – to help diners celebrate BFF in style at its catering sites nationwide. Paul Bates, Talkington Bates' Group Managing Director, said: “The BFF initiative is a perfect fit for the Talkington Bates philosophy as we believe in serving up local produce all-year round. BFF is a great way of raising awareness about the unrivalled quality of British food and emphasising its central role on the menu.