The FEJ AWARDS 2021 Executive Chef of the Year award recognises that whether it is restaurants, pubs, care homes, contract caterers or any other professional foodservice business, the group executive chef, food director (or any other similar title) has one of the most important roles to play when it comes to what happens on a kitchen level.

From creative menu development and food sourcing to kitchen specification and roll-outs, this accolade honours those individuals that are excelling in their posts.

We're pleased to have received news that Alice Bowyer, Executive Chef at The Liberation Group (a long-standing Regency member) has been shortlisted for the award.

Below is more information about Alice's involvement in The Liberation Group's success...

There has been no kitchen slowdown for Alice Bowyer as she has overseen a raft of menu and operational developments at The Liberation Group and Butcombe Brewery.

It reopened its UK pub estate with brand new menus in all businesses including 21 pubs from Wadworth acquired last year. Meanwhile, some seven major kitchen refurbs, each with their own identity and food offer, were completed during lockdown. You can read more about Regency's involvement here.

Alice has driven a move towards more efficient kitchens, which has led to a shift from gas to induction and investment in high-spec fryers. It has also embraced space-saving solutions in terms of refrigeration, new areas for the pass, routes to the wash-up areas and multi glasswash and dishwash areas in high volume sites. Innovative equipment choices have also allowed it to transform over 20 new acquisitions from heavily pre-prepped food offer to 100% fresh food.

We'd like to wish Alice the best of luck in reaching the finals!