Winterhalter and The Staff Canteen join forces to champion kitchen porters nationwide
Winterhalter’s Kitchen Porter of the Year - the industry-leading award celebrating the unsung heroes of professional kitchens - is entering an exciting new chapter.
From 2026, The Staff Canteen will become the official delivery partner, working alongside Winterhalter to build on more than a decade of recognising excellence, dedication, and pride in the KP role.
A Decade of Commitment - and the Right Time to Evolve
Since launching Kitchen Porter of the Year in 2013, Winterhalter has remained deeply committed to shining a light on the people who keep kitchens running day in, day out. Long before recognition of back-of-house roles became commonplace, the competition set a new benchmark for celebrating KPs at a national level.
As the hospitality industry becomes increasingly digital and community-led, the move to The Staff Canteen represents a natural evolution - placing the award at the heart of a platform used by chefs, operators, and kitchen teams every day.
Stephen Kinkead, managing director of Winterhalter UK, said: “Kitchen Porter of the Year has always been about recognising the people who are absolutely vital to the success of professional kitchens, but who too often go unnoticed.
“Since launching the award in 2013, we’ve been incredibly proud to celebrate the hard work, dedication and professionalism of kitchen porters across the UK.
“As the industry continues to evolve, it feels like the right time for the competition to evolve too.
“We’re delighted to be working with The Staff Canteen on the next chapter of the competition, and partnering with them gives Kitchen Porter of the Year a platform at the heart of the hospitality community and will help us reach more kitchens, share more stories and give even greater recognition to the role. We’re excited about what comes next.”
A Natural Home for KP of the Year
As the UK’s largest online community for hospitality professionals, The Staff Canteen connects more than half a million chefs, kitchen porters, and operators through its website, app, and social channels.
Its always-on, digital-first approach offers a powerful way to grow the reach and impact of Kitchen Porter of the Year, while staying true to its original purpose.
Mark Morris, founder of The Staff Canteen, said: “It’s a huge honour to bring Kitchen Porter of the Year to The Staff Canteen. I’ve long admired the commitment, hard work and integrity Stephen and the team at Winterhalter have shown in delivering this award year after year.
“When KP of the Year launched in 2013, it was genuinely groundbreaking - and while many have since followed, it remains the original and the best.
“We’re incredibly proud to build on that legacy and to give the competition a home at the heart of the hospitality community.
“We can’t wait to get started. Watch this space.”
What’s Next
The 2026 Kitchen Porter of the Year will launch soon with a refreshed campaign delivered across The Staff Canteen’s digital platforms, including:
- A dedicated digital home on thestaffcanteen.com
- A national call for entries
- Year-round storytelling celebrating KPs across the UK
- The return of National KP Day, recognising kitchen porters nationwide
Together, Winterhalter and The Staff Canteen aim to ensure the next decade of Kitchen Porter of the Year reaches more kitchens, celebrates more stories, and continues to give KPs the recognition they deserve.
About Winterhalter
Founded in 1947, Winterhalter is a global leader in professional warewashing systems, trusted by hospitality operators worldwide. Through initiatives such as Kitchen Porter of the Year, Winterhalter continues to invest in the people at the heart of the industry.
About The Staff Canteen
The Staff Canteen is the UK’s leading digital community for chefs and hospitality professionals, connecting over 500,000 users through daily content, social storytelling, video, and industry events.
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