The executive chef responsible for Sodexo’s global airline lounge business was awarded contract catering chef of the year award at the prestigious 2017 Craft Guild of Chefs Awards.
Glynn Lawrence (pictured) is responsible for food and craft training for Sodexo Sports & Leisure’s 165 airline lounges across the UK, Europe, Asia and the US.
Classically trained, Lawrence has worked in contract catering over the last 20 years. He joined Sodexo Corporate Services in 2007 as development chef for England and Wales before starting his current role in 2010.
Lawrence is central to the development of Sodexo’s airline lounge business, one of Sodexo’s biggest growth segments over the last three years.
Innovation and passion led to plaudits from across Sodexo’s airline lounge clients in support of his nomination.
Four other Sodexo chefs were finalists in the annual Craft Guild of Chefs Awards: David Fountain from Sodexo Ireland (also in the contract catering category), Stephen Frost from Sodexo Sports & Leisure (banqueting and event), Ian Morris from Sodexo Healthcare (The Peoples’ Choice) and Jack Cheesley from Sodexo Defence (young chef).
Chris Bray, CEO Sports & Leisure, Sodexo UK & Ireland, said, “Congratulations to Glynn on a very well-deserved Craft Guild of Chefs Award.
“Over the years, Glynn has changed the way we deliver our food offers in our lounges. He inspires and leads our kitchen teams to achieve their very best. His commitment to producing a quality fresh product range, with the emphasis on on-site production has transformed our production methods and helped to differentiate Sodexo’s service to our clients.
“Glynn plans his menus with the latest trends in mind and has supported not just the development of our UK airline lounge business from a culinary perspective, but has worked on a number of international assignments for Sodexo, helping to win business from France to Hong Kong.”