CFBG Celebrates the resounding success of the 2025 Winter Conference
The Caterfood Buying Group (CFBG) is proud to reflect on the overwhelming success of the 2025 Caterfood Buying Group Winter Conference, held on 9–10 December 2025 at the renowned Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales.
The two-day event brought together colleagues, leaders, and supplier partners from across all Member businesses, delivering an inspiring blend of connection, collaboration, and celebration.
This year’s conference once again proved to be an invaluable opportunity for attendees to strengthen relationships within the Caterfood Buying Group community. Delegates engaged meaningfully with one another as well as with the 51 suppliers who showcased an impressive variety of products available to the Group. The Supplier Exhibition was met with exceptional enthusiasm, creating a dynamic environment for innovation and partnership.
Members of the CFBG Leadership Team delivered impactful sessions across both days, offering strategic updates, celebrating shared achievements, and outlining the Group’s vision for the years ahead. Their insights were received with great positivity and helped energise colleagues as they prepare to carry momentum into 2026. The event also featured a moving and insightful talk from the charity Magic Breakfast, an organisation the Caterfood Buying Group has been proudly committed to supporting. Attendees heard firsthand about the charity’s vital work; no child should be too hungry to learn, but unfortunately Magic Breakfast supports 200,000 children a year across England and Scotland who need their support to start the school day with a nutritious breakfast. Supporting this charity was therefore a fitting motivation for the CFBG’s ongoing fundraising efforts, most notably the more than £13,000 raised earlier in the year through the Three Peaks Challenge.
A highlight of the conference was the Roaring 20s–themed gala dinner and awards ceremony, which recognised outstanding contributions from both suppliers and Member businesses. The evening celebrated those who demonstrated exceptional commitment, performance, and partnership over the past year.
The incredible award winners:
- Best Own Brand Launch: Lutosa
- Best Service Level: Darta
- Best Branded Launch: H Smith
- Supplier of the Year: Becketts
- Caterfood Buying Group Business of the Year: Turner Price
- Above and beyond: Yasmin Bates, Turner Price
- Rising Star: Jess Norris, Thomas Ridley Foodservice
- Sales colleague of the year: Louise Selby, Elite Fine Foods
- Special recognition: Ian Walker, Thomas Ridley Foodservice
- Transport colleague of the year: Nick Meads, South Lincs Foodservice
- Warehouse colleague of the year: Richard Flack, Thomas Ridley Foodservice
These awards reflected the high standards, innovation, and collaboration that continue to drive success across the Caterfood Buying Group.
Phil Atyeo, Managing Director at the Caterfood Buying Group, commented:
“This year’s Winter Conference was truly one of our best yet. We were thrilled to see such strong engagement across all Member businesses and to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our colleagues. The energy, enthusiasm, and collaboration demonstrated throughout the event reflect the strength of our Group and the promising future ahead.”
The Caterfood Buying Group extends its thanks to all attendees, suppliers, and organisers who contributed to making the 2025 Winter Conference a standout success.
