Gather & Gather

We're still buzzing from the SUPER SIZE ME hackathon! This week, we gathered some important people (swipe for proof 👇) They stepped into the Dragons' Den to pitch their best ideas. From next-gen tech to staff holidays in the Caribbean, the competition was fierce. But in the end, one team had all the Dragon's investing...

Introducing Kit Westall’s exceptional latte art! ☕ Kit joined Gather & Gather earlier in the year. In a short amount of time, she has already impressed us with her outstanding latte art skills and commitment to our customers. Just last week, Operations Manager Susan Warren received a lovely message from a client who shared a picture of Kit’s coffee, delighted by how much creativity she brings to every cup, and praising her for creating such a smooth and beautiful brew! Kit is a true asset to our team, consistently going the extra mile and taking pride in every coffee she serves. Thank you for your dedication and hard work, Kit – we truly appreciate everything you do! #IAmIdeal #TeamMemberSpotlight #BaristaSkills

Earlier this week we raised our glasses of sparkling tea in celebration of our fabulous graduate apprentices at the CH&CO apprenticeship graduation event, and it was nothing short of a huge success. 🙌   A massive round of applause for all our brilliant apprentices who’ve worked so hard to earn qualifications and PARS awards by Association of Apprentices!   Over 100 people were invited to join us and support our graduates, including our colleagues from Vacherin, Company of Cooks, and CH&CO.    We were treated to comical, witty, and inspiring speeches from Bill Toner, Jules M., and Liam Hatcher MCIPD.   Congratulations graduates! Here's to many more graduations, laughter, and continued success!   #Apprenticeships #EmployeeGrowth #GrowWithUs

Today, we would like to celebrate two of our apprentices who earned a T-Level qualification, which includes a module in Professional Cookery. This program encourages students to pursue their passions and develop advanced skills in a specialised food group. "I have worked in the industry for many years but have never had the time or encouragement to venture into a course to receive a qualification. When giving the opportunity I decided now was the time to see if I could grow and learn to further help me with my career path whilst also being able to do it during working hours. The high of my apprenticeship was gaining my confidence back and understanding that after my years in the industry I did have the knowledge and understanding of the role. The low would have been realising that not doing the course earlier in my career of which would had been beneficial to a younger version of myself to help navigate my career path in the industry. If you are giving the opportunity to embark on one of the apprenticeships, don’t think twice this will help further develop your career." - James Mcgrath, Restaurant & Deli Manager Susan Moore also believes that the value of T-Level has given her the confidence to succeed in her role with Gather & Gather. "I chose to do an apprenticeship to gain real world experience, enhance my skills and also help me stand out in the job market. It is also great way to earn a recognized qualification. The apprenticeship helps me become a valuable team member and I can pass my knowledge on. It has also taught me how to deal with certain workplace situations and how to best manage my team. Learning how to deal with different personalities has been invaluable. Being part of the apprenticeship has helped me embrace workplace challenges and opened up my thirst for knowledge, learning how to do my job with more efficiency makes my work life a lot easier and has given me the opportunity to grow and prioritize building a strong foundation of practical skills while developing my professional network. I have really enjoyed completing my apprenticeship and would encourage anyone to just go for it, you will have support and encouragement throughout your journey." - Susan Moore, Gather & Gather Ireland #NAW #GrowWithUs

Similar to Peter, Ana Epifanio shares this passion for the practical skills gained whilst completing an apprenticeship, having completed 3 with CH&CO already! "I have completed three apprenticeships whilst working for CH&CO, and each of them significantly impacted my professional and personal life, encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace new experiences. My first apprenticeship (L2 Commis Chef) allowed me to gain experience and immerse myself in the cooking side of the job. It provided me with a strong foundation and equipped me with essential skills and knowledge crucial for my career development. My second apprenticeship (L3 Hospitality supervisor) developed my managerial skills, the importance of attention to detail, effective communication and teamwork and broadened my understanding of the industry, reinforcing my commitment to continuous learning. My last apprenticeship (L4 Hospitality Manager) was a transformative experience, enhancing my leadership and management capabilities. I am immensely grateful for these opportunities and highly recommend apprenticeships to anyone." #NAW #GrowWithUs

It's National Apprenticeship Week! This week highlights the significant role apprenticeships play in shaping the future of our industry. Through a series of inspiring case studies, this week we will share the journeys of four of our apprentices, showcasing their experiences and how apprenticeships have helped them shape their careers in this dynamic and rewarding industry. Starting with our talented Peter Houghton, Area Support Manager at Gather & Gather. Peter completed a Level 5 Apprenticeship with us and shares how it not only opened doors in his career but equipped him with valuable skills for life. #GrowWithUs #NAW2025 "Completing my level 5 apprenticeship meant that I gained a further qualification in Hospitality Operations, learnt new skills and put them into practice! This gave me greater knowledge and skills to succeed in my career and give me further opportunities within the company. It gave me flexibility on when and where to study, meet new people and share best practices. My advice would be ‘Learn as much as possible from as many different people as you can’!"

Great event for Lloyds Banking Group yesterday giving colleagues on site the opportunity to sample goods from the diverse supply chain and to network with the faces of those brands. Gather & Gather were proud to support the event and lunch with an outstanding menu from Alan Giannasi- showing just what G&G is about. Huge thanks to Armando Cocca & Jon Milner & Steve Conlon for supporting. Clare Bacchus Chantelle Stockwin Nigel Forbes Jessica Clark Dan Slowley Allister Richards Sarah Tait Steven Hendry Amanda Cox

Did you know…small changes can have a big impact? We’re offering our customers flexible ways to explore plant-led eating and drinking. Whether it’s swapping cow’s milk for creamy oat in those much needed morning coffees or trying one of our new protein packed, plant-powered dishes. Our baristas and chefs have plenty of tasty options that are good for health and good for the planet. Source: https://lnkd.in/diqUBaN These carbon reductions have been calculated using the Foodsteps carbon calculation platform. It is based on the average footprint of coffee beans and milks, through each stage of the item’s life, from the farm to its disposal (its entire lifecycle). It does not include emissions from the disposable cup.

We’re kickstarting 2025 by fuelling our customers with nutritious, healthy, and delicious food to power through the new year. At Gather & Gather, we believe that great food is the key to feeling your best, especially during greyer winter days. Our seasonal menus are packed with fresh flavours and wholesome dishes to keep energy levels high and minds focused. Whether it’s vibrant, lighter options or hearty, comforting meals, we’ll keep our customers on track and feeling great throughout the season. Here’s to a healthy and delicious start to the year!

And that's a wrap for 2024! A massive thank you to everyone who made this year truly special – our incredible clients, loyal customers, dedicated suppliers, and hard-working teams. Your support, energy, and collaboration made it one to remember! Wishing you all a joyful, restful festive season! We’re already looking forward to kicking off 2025 with fresh ideas and renewed energy. See you in January – let’s make it another great year!