VfL Awards for Excellence 2023: Finalists revealed

Countdown to the VfL Awards 2023 has now begun!

Our judges have voted and we can now reveal the finalists in the 2023 Awards for Excellence in Vegetarian & Vegan Care Catering.

Here at VfL, we think that care caterers who make a special effort to create delicious and nutritious vegan and vegetarian meals deserve special recognition.

This year marks the eighth VfL Awards for Excellence in Veg*n Care Catering. With more vegans and vegetarians moving into residential care every year, this annual award recognises those who are pioneering the way in modern care catering. We're delighted to be returning to the Houses of Parliament for this year's ceremony, which will be held on the afternoon of Wednesday 18 October.

This year’s finalists are:

Veggie Care Chef of the Year

• Satpal Kambo, Garden City Court, Quantum Care Ltd.
• Meallmore Hospitality Team, Meallmore Ltd.
• Attila Volosinovszki, Cinnamon Care Collection

Veggie Wholesaler of the Year

• Bidfood
• Brakes
• Anglia Crown

Most Innovative Veggie Dish

• Aubergine with a selection of dal & potato fondant. Juan Lopez, Birchwood Grange, Avery Healthcare
• Vegan lemon panna cotta with blackberry-basil coulis. Juan Lopez, Birchwood Grange, Avery Healthcare
• Tofu & cauliflower kung pao. Bidfood

Hospital Caterer of the Year

• NHS Supply Chain: Food
• St James's University Hospital
• University Hospitals of Leicester

The Beulah Charity Trust Special Recognition Award

Winner to be announced on the day.

Click here for a look at our past winners.

First launched in 2016, the Annual Awards highlight the importance of catering well for older vegans and vegetarians. We recently surveyed 1,000 care homes to find out how many residents are vegan or vegetarian. Since the survey was last commissioned in 2014, the number of vegans in residential care has increased by a whopping 167%!

With growing numbers of vegans and vegetarians being supported by the care sector, it is no surprise that news of the awards has been positively received by care organisations. Articles about the awards have been published by the NACC, Care Home Catering, Hospitality Assured and more.

It’s becoming impossible to ignore the demand for top-notch veggie care catering.