Rising stars

Izabela Ginter, ESS
Rising Star Award winner at the 2023 Contract Catering Awards

What is your current role and what does it entail?
I’m a sous chef for a large ESS Energy client in Aberdeen and my role is very varied. As well as preparing food for up to 180 customers a day, I also develop and plan menus, place orders and support my head chef with organising the team.

In addition to day-to-day catering, we deliver hospitality for special events too. We’re currently putting together a special menu for the King’s coronation in May.

Why did you want to work in catering?
I started my career with ESS as a cleaner, but I quickly fell in love with the amazing Scottish food our chefs were preparing for customers. I was curious to understand how these beautifully flavoured dishes were created from just a few ingredients and this interest drove me to move into catering.  

What do you enjoy about the industry?
I enjoy continually developing new skills. I’m always meeting new chefs, and they are so keen to share their knowledge and experience that I feel I can learn something different from everyone. It’s great that I can then apply this in my everyday work.

I love being part of a catering team, as there are always different challenges to be met. With Graham Singer as my mentor, I get the chance to be involved with lots of different projects – I never know what opportunity might come along next as there is always something new and magical happening.

And, as a passionate chef, I, of course, appreciate nothing more than seeing a smile on the faces of customers eating the food I have created!

How did it feel when you found out you had won at the Contract Catering Awards?
I certainly didn’t expect to win. There are so many people doing amazing things in our industry that I was just pleased to be in the room. My colleagues were definitely more confident than I was!

It’s hard to describe the feelings when I found out I had won. I was so happy, honoured and overwhelmed. I felt like I couldn’t get my words out properly on the stage, but my team assured me that my replies did make sense!

Did you enjoy the event?
Yes, absolutely! I was really happy to be there with my friends and colleagues from ESS. These are the people who support me and push me throughout my career, and it was great to spend time celebrating with them. ESS won three awards on the night, so we had a wonderful evening.

What is your biggest ambition?
I don’t really set myself definite career goals, more personal development ones. I want to continue being myself, keep learning, gain new experiences, take part in different events, meet new chefs and perfect my skills.

I believe that if I follow this path and take all the chances that I’m offered, then opportunities will present themselves. This has definitely happened so far and I’ve had great chances, including working on the catering team for COP26 and completing a placement at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie.

I have a strong ambition to learn and develop myself. I’m enjoying the journey and I’m excited to see where my career will take me.

I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me so far. There is a limit to what one person alone can achieve, so my progress, and the award, really are the product of a team effort.

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