UoN Catering win Sustainability Award at TUCO 2026

Award-winning food on campus!

Did you know that when you grab a bite to eat on campus, you're eating award-winning food prepared by a talented and innovative team? 

We are thrilled to announce that the University of Nottingham Catering Services took home the prestigious Sustainability Award at the TUCO (The University Caterers Organisation) Awards 2026!

But that's not all, our chef Mike Lear won the Rising Star Award 🎉

Winning the Sustainability Award is a major national milestone for our campus community. This award recognises that the everyday meals served across all 11 catered halls and 30+ retail outlets meet the highest standard of eco-friendly culinary excellence. From significantly educing food waste and boosting environmental performance to building strong, ethical partnerships with local supply chains, sustainability is baked right into our menus - without compromising on flavour.

The TUCO judges were blown away, praising our team for:

It's not just our menus winning awards, it's our people too!

A huge congratulations to our very own Mike Lear, who also won the Rising Star Award at the ceremony. Mike helps lead operations serving over 3,500 students daily across multiple campus kitchens. Not only does he make sure the food hits the mark every time, but he's also shaping the future of our culinary teams by developing the new UoN Catering Pathways Academy, an initiative designed to train, develop, and mentor the next generation of talented university chefs. 

The TUCO panel addressed Mike as: 

When you dine with us, you aren't just getting a standard university meal. You are being served by a nationally recognised team of expert chefs dedicated to bold flavours, ethical sourcing and a greener future.