Catering Awards

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

JUDGING FOR ALL STATES STARTS 24th APRIL 2023

HOW TO ENTER:

• Complete the online nomination form by the close of entries - 30 April 2023
• Event categories - provide a list of event options to be judged (at least 4) spread over the duration of the judging period
• Site & Industrial categories - nominate and provide details of one site to be judged including site details and site contact
• Pay your entry fee - nominations will only be accepted and once the entry fee is paid

Judging Criteria - Click here

Award T&C's - Click here

Category Definitions - Click here

IMPORTANT DATES:

Judging of event and site visits must be completed by:

*Last dates for judging are subject to change at the discretion of R&CA

ENTRY GUIDELINES:

• Caterers can enter as many categories as you wish as long as the entrant meets the specific category definition
• Categories will be split into master and sub-categories only if there are sufficient entries
• Finalists for the 2023 Catering Awards will be announced via email to each entrant prior to each state/region awards gala event
• The R&CA Catering Awards are open to all member and non-member catering businesses
• Entrants are assessed by trained independent judges under the National Restaurant and Catering Evaluation System (RACES)

JUDGING PROCESS:

• Event Categories
  • Caterers are judged on one event only. Caterers must provide at least four (4) weeks notice for a judge to be secured
  • Caterers must obtain the approval of the event client for a judge to be in attendance
  • Caterers will be contacted by the assigned judge to confirm the judging date
  • Copies of the event brief including run sheet and menus will need to be provided to the judge prior to the event judging
  • A per head food cost and overall event costing must be provided to the judge prior to judging as this forms part of the judging criteria
  • Judges will be required to taste the food however this is not to be done within the event space. Food tastings must be the same meal being served to the event guests
• Site & Industrial Caterer Categories
  • Site/Industrial caterers are judged on a site visit to one nominated site to assess food and service criteria. No events can be judged in these categories
  • Caterers will be contacted by the judge to confirm a convenient time to visit and assess the site
  • A per head contracted food cost must be provided to the judge prior to judging as this forms part of the judging criteria
  • Judges will be required to taste the food during the judging
  • Member catering finalists will receive a judging analysis graph that provides the relative performance of your business against the average and winning result in the entered category. Entrants that receive an honourable mention are not able to receive the judging analysis graph

R&CA members will receive a plate rating badge for those businesses that receive a 3.5 plate rating or above. The plate rating badge can be displayed on the recipients webpage or printed material demonstrating that the business provides a quality product and service

Winner for each state/regional awards will move forward to the National Awards for Excellence.

R.A.C.E.S JUDGING SYSTEM - CATERING

Caterers are judged on the RACES judging system. The RACES judging system has been devised to provide a comprehensive and objective appraisal of a nominated catering event or catering site.

Caterers are assessed by a trained judge at a selected catering event or catering site. Each caterer is assessed on a set of criteria including food, beverage, service, staff, hygiene, presentation adn overall event/site outcomes.