Winterhalter has announced the launch of the 2026 Kitchen Porter of the Year competition, giving the industry a chance to celebrate the everyday heroes of foodservice and catering and the vital work they do.
The competition began in 2013 and has become one of the largest awards in the industry, with hundreds of nominations from companies and organisations, representing all sectors of foodservice, eager to put the spotlight on their kitchen porters. Every day KPs go to extraordinary lengths to keep things running smoothly and support their colleagues.
Many of the biggest names in the industry got their start working as KPs, and have stated that this experience was hugely important in providing them with the knowledge they needed to help build their careers. Paul Ainsworth says, “I started out as a KP. It’s such a hard job! We can’t function without them. To be able to celebrate kitchen porters is great – the KP of the Year is a brilliant idea.”
“KP of the Year is something we’re hugely proud of at Winterhalter,” says Stephen Kinkead, managing director of Winterhalter UK. “It is always inspiring to learn how proud companies are of their KPs, with entries coming from some of the best hotels and restaurants as well as pubs, clubs and all kinds of institutions.”
This year’s winner will take home the coveted KP of the Year trophy, as well as £1500 in vouchers and a celebratory meal for their family and friends in a casual dining restaurant of their choice. The winning KP’s employer will also get a Winterhalter dishwasher worth up to £10,000.
Alongside the grand prize, two highly commended KPs will receive a certificate and vouchers for hospitality experiences. Furthermore, every KP who is nominated will receive a bespoke KP of the Year Oliver Hardy apron.
Nominations are now open, with 29th August 2026 the deadline for entries. A shortlist of ten will be selected, before the judging panel of industry experts choose the winner.
“We’ve had hundreds of nominations down the years, and we’re looking forward to discovering more amazing stories of the dedicated KPs who go above and beyond every day to support their colleagues,” says Kinkead.
More information about the competition and previous winners, as well as links to the nomination form, can be found at www.kpoftheyear.com.
Winterhalter provides a total solution for dishwashing and glasswashing, from pre-sales advice to after-sales service, training and maintenance, with sustainability fitted as standard. Alongside its market-leading dish washers and glass washers, the company’s range includes utensil washers, advanced water treatment machines, and cleaning detergents and rinse aids. For further details, call Winterhalter on 01908 359000, visit www.winterhalter.com/uk-en/ or email info@winterhalter.co.uk.
