Foodservice Cateys 2023: Business and Industry Caterer of the Year – Houston & Hawkes

Sponsored by Franke Coffee Systems

In 2019 Simon Houston and Dave Hawkes launched Houston & Hawkes, putting everything on the line having walked away from secure directorships to start their own business from scratch.

The self-funded caterer has seen incredible growth and 100% client retention since its launch and the navigation of Covid. It now has a team of 150 servicing 22 clients.

This growth has been achieved through a focus on delivering on its promises, looking after its teams and operating responsibly. Houston & Hawkes became the first B Corp-certified contract catering business globally in June 2022 by committing to use business as a force for good to benefit all people, communities and the planet.

The past 12 months have been about evolving the business and supporting clients needs. Contracts are carefully chosen, with Houston & Hawkes claiming to turn down more opportunities than it accepts. Meanwhile, 100% of its new business has been generated through referrals and word of mouth, demonstrating real satisfaction from existing clients.

Houston & Hawkes has created an exclusive partnership with Sally Abé, chef consultant at the Pem restaurant in London, who runs monthly workshops with its teams, hosts stages for chefs and front of house professionals, and holds bi-monthly masterclasses. In addition, the business has organised and funded a four-day stage at the two-Michelin-starred Ynyshir in Wales with Gareth Ward for its chef of the year prize, and secured an exclusive partnership with chef and food writer Celia Brooks to enhance its wellbeing strategy and develop the vegan and vegetarian food knowledge among its teams. This has helped inform its plant-based ‘Planted' food range, which has been successful in both reducing the business's carbon emissions and also driving sales in all locations.

Part of Houston & Hawkes's commitment to B Corp is to purchase at least 50% of its food and beverages from independent suppliers within 50 miles of London. It has smashed this target, having sourced 89% of its produce from local, independent suppliers in the 12 months to June 2023.

Houston & Hawkes has also developed the Social Academy, creating a framework for all social and charitable activity, including fast payment schemes for small suppliers, mentoring for small business owners and a "foot in the door" with products being showcased in its contracts. It has also backed and supported a number of young entrepreneurial suppliers, such as Anonymous Coffee and Fireheart, by becoming their first wholesale clients.

No wonder clients are so complementary. One said Houston & Hawkes was "able to offer the sort of flexibility we had been unable to attain elsewhere", while another added: "We are convinced that their approach, desire, creativity and commitment is what our people see as the strongest reason to engage and collaborate with one another in our new HQ."

What the judges said

"The company has survived and thrived through the pandemic and built an enviable team. It is emerging as the leading small independent company in this sector." Ruston Toms

The shortlist

Aramark

Bennett Hay

Houston & Hawkes

Past winners

2022 Eurest

2021 Blue Apple

2019 Gather & Gather

2018 BaxterStorey

2017 The Genuine Dining Co

2016 Vacherin

2015 Charlton House

2014 Restaurant Associates

2013 Lexington Catering