Elior UK demonstrates its MIDAS touch with prestigious innovation award win

Contract catering giant Elior UK triumphed at the recent Menu Innovation and Development Awards. Its state-of-the-art Silks restaurant – situated at the London offices of leading global law firm Linklaters – was crowned the UK’s best Premium Staff Dining Restaurant.

The prestigious win saw the premier caterer score victory over Compass and Sodexo in the awards that recognise the outstanding creative talents of menu development in the foodservice industry.

The judges – who have extensive experience of multi unit disciplined menu operations – identified the restaurant as a winning operation after visiting the site to sample the concept and food offer first hand.

The panel said: “Linklaters was one of the best sites we’ve been to with a great modern restaurant and coffee bar. It had a real buzz and queuing was minimal thanks to the layout. The food was very good; colourful, fresh and plentiful. There were lots of healthy options too, so there was something for everyone.”

Peter Joyner, food development director, Elior UK said: “We are thrilled by the win and our thanks go to the dedicated and hardworking team at the site.  The aim of the Silks concept was to bring a unique, cutting-edge dining experience to the City of London. It’s fantastic to have fulfilled this aspiration and have it recognised with such a prestigious award win, affirming Elior’s position as experts and market-leaders in staff dining.”

Silks represents a complete shift from the traditional canteen style of dining to a more retail-orientated operation. Designed to be “energetic, interactive and engaging” the emphasis is on professional chefs using fresh, seasonal and quality ingredients to create contemporary, balanced and authentic dishes. All the chefs are visible, so customers can witness the natural animation of professional chefs at work.