Pret Founder Metcalfe Made an Industry Icon

Pret a Manger founder Julian Metcalfe has won this year's Peach Network "Industry Icon" award in recognition of his outstanding and continuing contribution to the UK's eating and drinking out market.

Under Metcalfe's leadership, Pret a Manger has changed the face of the British sandwich market, setting new standards of food quality, service, recruitment and people development.

The accolade was announced at a presentation lunch following Peach Network's annual 2020 conference in London.

Other award winners at the event were Jamie's Italian, Le Pain Quotidien, Wagamama, Whitbread, Café Rouge and Nando's - all of which picked up 'Market Hero' trophies.

Introducing the Icon award, Tony Hughes, formerly managing director of Mitchells & Butlers Restaurants and now a director of the The Restaurant Group, said: "This year's recipient is a man of true vision and true values. His dedication to food product quality and service is a beacon and a lesson to every operator in the industry."

The presentation to the Pret founder was made on behalf of Peach Network by Wagamama chairman Ian Neill, who along with Tony Hughes and John Barnes, chairman of Novus Leisure, made up the judging panel for this year's "Hero & Icon" awards, chaired by Peach Network founder Peter Martin. Neill, Hughes and Barnes are all existing Icon winners.

In accepting the award Metcalfe paid tribute to his Pret team: "I'm thrilled. I receive it on behalf of everyone here at Pret - the managers and the staff who work so hard. Thanks to everyone who has made this possible. It's a real honour."

The presentation event also saw six Heroes awards announced. Jamie's Italian, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's move into casual dining, won the Newcomer trophy. Le Pain Quotidien, the Belgian café / bakery group, picked up the Breakthrough Brand award, while Wagamama won the Evolution category for its story of consistent and seamless growth.

The International award went to Whitbread for its success with Costa and Premier Inn in overseas markets. Café Rouge won the Consumer Choice award, which was the only category based on input from the public, while the Leadership trophy went to Nando's, for its drive to national status.

Commenting on the judging process Tony Hughes said: "It's very interesting that we came out of the room after a lot of debate, discussion and consideration, but actually we were really unanimous on the decisions that we made, which I think is great testament to the people that have won."

Ian Neill added: "In good times and bad we've always got to celebrate people doing a great job within our sector. Some people will come through this and they'll do very well and they'll succeed."

John Barnes concluded: "In this industry it comes down to really enjoying and believing in what you do and that comes from the people you work with - and that I think characterises the winners that we've picked out.'

The Hero & Icon awards are organised annually by Peach Network, the business network for senior executives in the UK eating and drinking out market, with the aim of spotlighting and celebrating the individuals and businesses that are making a real difference.

Said Peach Network's Peter Martin: "We all need heroes to look up to and emulate, people and businesses that can inspire with their qualities of creativity, determination, leadership, and not to mention, on occasion, daring and style. And that's particularly true in tough times like these."

The awards are run in conjunction with Coca Cola, Royal Bank of Scotland, Hobart, Steelite, Ecolab, Coffer Corporate Leisure and Enotria.