THE founder of an Andover charity has cooked up a winner after being recognised at a national awards ceremony.

Rik Razza was commended with a top accolade celebrating his commitment to mentoring and developing more than 500 chefs across the UK.

The Andover man picked up the award an annual awards night in London last week, staged by BazterStorey – the UK’s largest independent hospitality organisation.

He was presented with the ‘BaxterStorey Award’ for his instrumental role in creating an in-house training programme, the ‘Chef Academy’, a first within the foodservice sector.

The Academy set up in 2005, has mentored over 500 graduate chefs with a further 350 chefs receiving development, including specialist qualifications from NVQ2, NVQ3 and a BSC in Culinary Arts.

On top of full-time role as head of chef development at BaxterStorey, Rik regularly volunteers with industry charities which educate school children on nutritious eating.

He also set up the charity Amazing Alice, which supports children with cancer in palliative care and to deliver a student nursing bursary at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

On receiving the BaxterStorey Award, Rik said: “Thank you all so much. It has been an incredible journey and I have loved every minute of it.

“I have always said I love this business and BaxterStorey has given me the best platform to work on. I have a great team that I work with every day and without them I would not be stood up here today.

“Thank you to everyone that has come through the Chef’s Academy, without your support it would be impossible to do what we do.”

Alastair Storey, BaxterStorey Chairman said: “The BaxterStorey Awards are an occasion to celebrate our teams’ achievements, and we are delighted to recognise Rik with this very special Award.

“Rik embodies the entrepreneurial spirit we look to encourage within the business, and we couldn’t be prouder of the work he carries out to mentor and develop the chefs within our business.

“I am particularly humbled to work with Rik. He has a huge strength of character and is well respected by his teams and industry colleagues at large.”