Catering giant Compass reported record new business growth as demand for business and sports catering rebounded following the impact of the pandemic.

Revenues surged by 42.5% to £25.5 billion for the year to September 30, compared with the same period last year and as a result, statutory pre-tax profits leapt to £1.5 billion from £545 million a year earlier.

Compass also benefited from lower exceptional costs after the firm was affected by £157 million of Covid-19-related “resizing costs” in the previous year.

Meanwhile, underlying operating profits were 87.5% higher at £1.59 billion for the year.

Dominic Blakemore, group chief executive of Compass, said: “The group’s performance surpassed our expectations both in terms of net new business growth and base volume recovery, with business & industry now operating above its pre-pandemic revenues.

“The strong growth trends seen in the first half have continued, with net new business accelerating through the year in all our regions.

“Our clients are continuing to face operational complexities and inflationary pressures, which are driving increased outsourcing, and we are successfully capitalising on the resulting growth opportunities.

“While the macroeconomic environment is uncertain, we are working in partnership with our clients to mitigate inflationary pressures and supporting our colleagues during this challenging period by offering financial support and other benefits.”

Compass said it will hand out a final dividend of 22.1p per share as a result of the performance.

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A Facebook post from Chris and Marta who run The Clubhouse Grill said they were also “putting family first”.

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Craft Event Co, which will now cater for the Ulster Museum, the Ulster Folk Museum and the Ulster Transport Museum.

The contract will see the events and café solutions company take on the Ulster Museum’s Wynne & Pym restaurant, the Ballycultra Tearooms at Ulster Folk Museum and the Cultra Manor dedicated hospitality venue. Plans are also under way to further expand the catering offering at Ulster Transport Museum.

Brona Moffett, of National Museums NI, left, said: “We look forward to working with Craft Event Co to continually enhance our hospitality offering. The creativity and expertise of its team will also allow us to transform weddings and corporate events in our stunning spaces.”

Craft Event Co director Jamie Henderson added: “We’re excited to be working to create a unique hospitality offering that will transform the way visitors enjoy food and drink at three of the province’s best-known museums.

“Food provenance will be at the centre of our service delivery, offering a taste of Northern Ireland to local visitors and also those who come from further afield. We will reflect the uniqueness and warmth of the Northern Irish welcome, ensuring that the food offering is a key part of the overall museum experience.

“The skillset of our team will transform National Museums NI’s events offering too by introducing a high-quality dining experience that will appeal to weddings and corporate events too. All of us at Craft Event Co. look forward to welcoming people to each of the museums over the coming weeks.”

Gavin Annon, marketing director at Mount Charles, for right, said: “Our sister company Craft Event Co is the perfect fit for National Museums NI. It has built a strong reputation across Northern Ireland thanks to its commitment to customer service and hygiene standards, quality in food and creativity.

“It is a privilege to work with these unique National Museums NI destinations and we look forward to adding to the experience with our bespoke food offering.”

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As the head judge of FutureChef Northern Ireland, he will oversee the development of young chefs aged 12 to 16 across different stages of a competition run by UK hospitality charity Springboard and backed by Henderson Foodservice.

FutureChef is the biggest schools-based culinary competition in the UK, with young people competing from now through to March in school heats, local finals, regional finals and a showcase national final in London next year.

Speaking about the competition, at at his flagship restaurant in Belfast’s AC Hotel, Jean-Christophe said: “It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to work with, and mentor, young chefs who will ultimately go on to do great things in the industry.

“Programmes like FutureChef are vital in terms of putting culinary arts and hospitality on the map for young people kick-starting their careers.

“I look forward to sharing my advice, knowledge and skills to ultimately encourage more people into the industry. I’m excited to be part of this journey and to witness the young talent coming through – and it gives me a bit of déjà vu to when I was starting out.”

Since the initiative began in 1999, nearly 200,000 young people have taken part and learned how to cook, developing their skills and knowledge, with many going on to establish themselves within the industry.

As part of its mission to nurture young talent and promote hospitality as a great place to work, Springboard says it is aiming to get 10,000 young people trained, ready and into work by December 2022.

Kiera Campbell, sales director at Henderson Foodservice, said: “We have weathered the storm alongside our hospitality colleagues throughout the dual challenges of Brexit and Covid-19 and now we’re encouraging the next generation to step forward, build their skills and get their first taste of being part of this thriving sector.

‘Rich tapestry’

“Northern Ireland has such a rich tapestry of food suppliers, growing fresh ingredients right on our doorstep. We have produced some of the top chefs in the UK, and we have no doubt there are more waiting in the wings to step into the limelight. We’re excited to get the competition going, nurture the entrants through the heats and get a first taste of our future star chefs.”

Oìsìn Gates, winner of the 2020 FutureChef regional final in Northern Ireland, added: “Competing in this competition provides you with a 360 degree view of the hospitality industry and the many different career paths you can take.

“Luckily for me, I was also able to gain insights from some of the most well-respected chefs in Northern Ireland, including Paula McIntyre and James Devine.

“Now, after such a valuable experience, I want to go to university to help fulfil my ambitions of becoming a dietician or nutritionist. FutureChef has helped me realise these ambitions, which I didn’t know I had previous to entering the competition.”

The deadline to register for FutureChef competition in Northern Ireland is Friday November 12. For more details visit: https://futurechef.uk.net/information-registration/students-and-competitors/

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