Mental Health Awareness Week 2025

May 14, 2025

As it’s Mental Health Awareness Week, we wanted to share some information and resources, including advice from top chefs on handling stress and pressure.

Although not everyone working in hospitality – or in food – is a chef, there are some good insights (included in our Spring Infuse magazine) which can be applied to all walks of life. First, some info.

The stats.
The NHS report that 1 in 4 of us will experience a period of ill mental health in our lifetime, yet, within the hospitality industry, this is believed be much higher, at almost 4 out of 5 (according to The Burnt Chef Project).

Be curious.
Mental health is a very personal matter and everyone handles stress and pressure differently. Be curious about the people in your life – friends, family, colleagues and customers. Ask questions, make time to talk, and see situations from different perspectives.

Support that we offer.
We offer all employees within Caterfood Buying Group (CFBG), and our Members, support through Hospitality Action, as well as other forms of support through our wellbeing and benefits platform, Nourish.

For our teams, now is a great time to look into these resources and to speak to colleagues and managers if you have questions. For anyone outside CFBG, we recommend finding out more about the charity Hospitality Action and their services.

Advice from industry chefs

GABRIELLO GERARDI, THE MINDFUL CHEF MOVEMENT

“Stress in the hospitality industry is pervasive and prioritising mental health is essential not just for individual well-being, but also for sustainable, thriving careers. Taking small yet intentional actions — like practising mindful breathing between tasks, having open communication and maintaining healthy boundaries can significantly reduce burnout and improve team dynamics in busy kitchens.”

KRIS HALL, THE BURNT CHEF PROJECT

“Stress is a significant challenge across the hospitality sector, with long hours, high pressure, and relentless demands often taking a huge toll on mental health. Prioritising mental well-being is crucial – not just for the individual, but for the overall health of the industry.

At The Burnt Chef Project, we advocate for open dialogue, regular mental health check-ins, and creating a supportive workplace environment. Simple steps like fostering work-life balance and providing access to mental health resources can make a significant difference in managing the pressures of this dynamic sector.”

NINA MATSUNAGA, THE BLACK BULL, SEDBERGH

“Stress comes in so many forms. It’s internal as well as external – suppliers not bringing things, customer demands and staff expectations. So, breathe, re-evaluate and see someone else’s perspective. And perhaps even more importantly, look after yourself. Make sure you keep fit and eat properly – both are huge factors on stress levels. And if all else fails, go to the walk in. No one will ever follow you there.”

Read the full feature in Infuse, page 27

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Steven Lyons Appointed Director of Group Sales at Caterfood Buying Group

March 10, 2026

Steven is widely recognised for bringing clarity and structure to sales environments. His approach focuses on embedding robust pipelines, effective pricing frameworks and strong cross-functional alignment- helping businesses win the right work while protecting long-term profitability. In his new role, Steven will lead Caterfood Buying Groups’ GPO and framework strategy- creating a single commercial interface for procurement partners while maintaining the independence of each regional member. Key focus points include clear pricing frameworks, simplified group price file access, structured tender coordination, incremental volume growth and consistent reporting standards. On joining Caterfood Buying Group, Steven said: “Caterfood Buying Group has something powerful – strong independent businesses with deep local relationships. My role is not to change that. Its to give GPO partners one clear route into the group, make tenders, pricing and basket analysis simpler, and ensure we grow the right business in a disciplined way.” “We want to be easy to work with. Clear commercial frameworks. Regional execution partners who deliver. No noise, no confusion.” GPO and procurement partners looking to align frameworks, review pricing structures or explore incremental volume opportunities are encouraged to engage directly with the Group Sales Function. Steven will focus on building a simple, disciplined Group Sales engine that strengthens member businesses, protects independence and delivers sustainable, profitable growth across the group.

Caterfood Buying Group Launches Own-Brand Potatoes

February 27, 2026

The Caterfood Buying Group is proud to announce the launch of its own-brand fresh potatoes, marking a major milestone for the UK foodservice sector. This initiative makes Caterfood one of the first buying groups in the UK to introduce its own-label fresh produce, setting a new standard for sustainability, provenance, and innovation. Sourced exclusively from British farms, Caterfood’s new own-brand potatoes demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting British farming while helping foodservice operators meet growing demand for responsibly produced ingredients. The potatoes are regeneratively farmed, focusing on soil health, biodiversity, and long-term environmental resilience. In a further industry-leading move, the CFBG will be planting a ‘Caterfood Forest’ to carbon offset directly on the supplier’s farm. Through tree planting and environmental projects located where the potatoes are grown, the supply chain achieves something truly remarkable: a carbon-neutral potato. This approach not only reduces environmental impact but actively contributes to positive change at farm level, reinforcing Caterfood’s belief that sustainability should be practical, transparent, and meaningful. Tom Workman, Commercial Director at the Caterfood Buying Group, commented: “This launch represents everything Caterfood stands for- collaboration, innovation, and responsibility, making this another important milestone for Caterfood. By supporting British farmers, investing in regenerative agriculture, and delivering a carbon-neutral fresh product, we are showing that sustainability and commercial success can go hand in hand.” The own-brand potato range will be available to Caterfood members nationwide, providing chefs and operators with a high-quality, British, and environmentally responsible staple they can trust. With this launch, Caterfood Buying Group continues to lead the way in shaping a more sustainable future for foodservice, one potato at a time.

Caterfood Buying Group Team at the Chef's own brands awards

Caterfood Collection Celebrates Award-Winning Start to 2026

February 20, 2026

We’re delighted to be starting 2026 on a high note, following a fantastic achievement at one of the foodservice industry’s most respected events. On 6 January , members of our own brand team attended the Chefs' Own Brand Awards , organised by Cash and Carry Management, and held at the iconic Royal Horseguards Hotel. The evening brought together leading professionals from across the sector to celebrate excellence, innovation, and quality in own brand products. Bringing Home Two Prestigious Awards We were incredibly proud to return with two awards , recognising the quality and consistency of our Caterfood Select range: Butchery Award – Caterfood Select Back Bacon Afternoon Tea Award – Caterfood Select Plain and Fruit Scones These accolades reflect the care, expertise, and attention to detail that go into every product we develop. Being recognised by industry experts and chefs is a strong endorsement of our commitment to delivering products that meet the highest professional standards.