Head kitchen porter announced joint runner-up at the prestigious KP of the Year Awards 2022
Cameron House Head Kitchen Porter Recognised At National Awards
Gerry Daly, head kitchen porter at Cameron House Resort in Loch Lomond, has been announced as joint runner-up at the prestigious KP of the Year Awards 2022.
The competition, organised by The Caterer Magazine and Winterhalter UK, is in its ninth year and was created to recognise the importance of KPs in the catering and foodservice industries. Since 2013, restaurants, pubs, hotels, schools and contract caterers have nominated staff to celebrate the vital work they do.
Gerry, 33, from Alexandria, was named as joint runner-up, placing him amongst the finest industry workers in the country. The joint runner-up accolade was decided after judges struggled to select a single second place amongst the high calibre of entries this year.
Gerry began his career at Cameron House over 14 years ago, starting as a KP in the Club House before being promoted to Head KP in the main kitchen this year. A keen cycler, he cycles to work every day, and is passionate about the great outdoors, often spending his time around the resort taking in the surroundings.
He will receive a KP of the Year runner-up trophy, a commemorative apron, and £300 as his prize, which will be presented by Stephen Kinkead, managing director at Winterhalter UK.
Andy Roger, Resort Director at Cameron House Resort, said: “Gerry has been an invaluable member of the Cameron Clan for more than fourteen years, working his way up through the kitchen team to where he is now. He is part of the fabric of our team and undoubtedly part of the reason why our culinary service is so world-class. He is completely deserving of this award, and we are so delighted for him to be recognised by the wider industry in this way.”
James Murphy, Executive Chef at Cameron House Resort, added: “Gerry is a hero in our kitchen and couldn’t do more to support me and the team in what is a regularly high-pressure environment. He has a tireless commitment to his job, always going above and beyond, and always thinking about his team and their work-life balance. Earlier this year, when we had a blackout, Gerry continued to work using the torch light on his phone. That is just one example of how he supports our team and why he is so deserving of this recognition.”
Gerry Daly commented: “I am very surprised but honoured to bring home such a great prize for myself and the team. I’ve been at Cameron House for a long time and always say that teamwork is what makes the hotel experience what it is for guests. I’m proud to be part of that.”
The judging panel for KP of the Year included James Horler, chief executive of Ego Restaurants and chairman of Notes Music & Coffee and Ping Pong; Deborah Homshaw, managing director of education and healthcare at CH&Co; and Stephen Kinkead, managing director of Winterhalter UK.