When it comes to running a restaurant kitchen, a good KP acts as the ‘chef’s right hand’ – the person without whom the whole enterprise just wouldn’t work.
It is with that immutable fact in mind that commercial dishwasher supplier Winterhalter created the KP of the Year competition, which is now in its tenth year, and has just announced its 2024 winner.
Marito Pires De Sousa, kitchen porter at Oxfordshire’s Mollie’s Motel & Diner, earned the Winterhalter award for his ‘infectious joy and unwavering support for the entire team’.
Stephen Kinkead, managing director of Winterhalter UK, said of the 2024 event: “The bar has definitely increased. Entrants who would previously have been a very highly commended are now standard. Which makes Marito’s achievement all the greater – huge congratulations to him.”
Trudi Parr, head of people and development at Mollie’s, nominated Marito, describing him as having had an ‘extraordinary impact on our operation’.
Parr said that De Sousa’s approach meant that, even during peak times, such as a 650-cover Saturday, Mollie’s kitchen runs smoothly, efficiently and with ‘happy energy’.
He was also described as an innovator, having mastered and implemented the ‘cockpit theory’ of kitchen portering, optimising the setup, shelving, and workflow of the busy restaurant kitchen environment.
“What sets Marito apart is his infectious joy and unwavering support for the entire team,” said Parr. “Marito is a beacon of positivity, he lifts spirits, and his cheerful greeting of ‘Morning, Cheffy!’ makes everyone grin.
“I was at Paddington station when I got the call that he had won and I screamed. Everybody at the station probably thought, what on earth is going on? It made me so emotional. He is such a wonderful guy. I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”
The KP of the Year judges were also impressed with Marito’s skill in engaging young team members and particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities, ‘helping them find joy and confidence in their roles’, which were often their first job.
“His training style is encouraging and fun, making even the hardest tasks manageable,” Trudi said.
On receiving his award Marito said, “I’m so happy! I love my job and Mollie’s. I love the team and working together.”
Along with the prestigious KP of the Year trophy, Marito will receive £1000 in vouchers and a celebratory meal for friends and family in a casual dining restaurant of their choice.
Meanwhile his win means that Mollie’s will get a piece of Winterhalter equipment worth up to £10,000 – which in turn should make his life that bit easier!
Kinkead added: “Marito is such a worthy winner. I get emotional every time I present the award. You speak to any chef – the kitchen porter is their right hand. Without them it doesn’t work. They’re worth their weight in gold.”
One of the KP of the Year judges was Matthew Marshall of the RAC Club. He said: “The winners and the runners up were phenomenal.”
Fellow judge Dominic Teague of One Aldwych agreed, adding that Marito was ‘a truly worthy winner’.
The two highly commended runners up were Austin Ottolorin, of BM Caterers, and Leszek Dajnowicz, of The Belfry Hotel & Resort.
Austin is described as nothing less than ‘a legend’ by his nominator, group executive chef Russell Watt, who said: “He has created a legacy that would be incredibly difficult to replace.”
Meanwhile Leszek’s nominator, executive chef Robert Bates, described him as a ‘dedicated leader’ who makes a ‘positive impact on the whole resort.’
Scotland featured in the final top ten of the competition, in the shape of the Balmoral Hotel’s steward, Cirilo Bomaba Moche.
