The shortlist of finalists for the annual Estates and Facilities Heroes competition, organised by apetito, a leading supplier of meals into the healthcare sector, has been announced.
The competition recognises and celebrates the essential work carried out by those working across the Healthcare Estates and Facilities (E&F) professions, encouraging hospitals to nominate the individuals and teams that they feel are the unsung heroes of their E&F departments.
The winners will be selected by an independent panel of judges – Phil Shelley, Senior Operational & Policy Manager at NHS England; Amanda Roberts, Editor of HEFMA Pulse Magazine; Iain Robertson, Catering Operations Manager at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; and Neil Hargreaves, General Manager of Healthcare at apetito – and announced on the 2026 National Healthcare Estates and Facilities Day on Wednesday, June 17.
Following a high number of excellent entries from across the industry, the shortlisted finalists are:
Making a Real Difference:
• Tracey Anige – Catering Supervisor, St George’s Hospital
• Tony Cover – Catering & Stores Manager, Florence Nightingale Community Hospital
• Kerrey Healey – Catering Compliance Officer, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Melanie Ritchings – Hotel & Services Manager, North Somerset Community Hospital
Leading the Way:
• Catering Team - Queens Hospital Burton on Trent
• Claire Gwilliam & Katie Holman – Catering Manger & Catering Compliance Officer, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Samantha Yates - Waste & Compliance Manager, Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust/West Heath Hospital
• Kissy Applasawmy Patient Catering Team - Epsom & St Helier Hospital
Catering Champion:
• Steven Pattison – Diet Chef, Forth Valley Royal Hospital
• Testine Augustine - Head of Catering Services, Epsom Hospital
• Rasa Zebertaviciute - Domestic/Catering Supervisor, University Hospitals Plymouth
• Sharon Gough - Catering Team Leader, Conquest Hospital
Community Impact:
• Paul Cutler – Porter, James Cook University Hospital
• Larry Rosenthal – Catering Manager, Royal Free Hospital
• Lorna McCarthy – Catering Team, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Rising Star:
• Mary Ojelade - Catering Senior Supervisor, St Georges
• Joshua Astall & Morgan Hughes – Apprentice Chef, Simply Serve - Yeovil Hospital
• Thaize Polizelli De Santana – Patient Feeding Supervisor, Royal Free Hospital
Team of the Year England:
• Catering Back of House Team - Florence Nightingale Community Hospital
• Community Facilities Team - Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
• The RFLPS Catering Team - Royal Free Hospital
• Portering Team – Southend University Hospital
• Senior Catering Team - Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Team of the Year Wales:
• Catering Department - Bro Ddyfi Hospital Machynlleth
• Catering Team - Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
• Catering Team - Ruthin Hospital
Team of the Year Scotland:
• Patient Catering Team - Forth Valley Royal Hospital
• Corporate Catering Team – NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
• Patient Catering Team - Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Image shows the 2025 Estates and Facilities Heroes winners.
