We are thrilled to announce that at this year's Gold Medal Catering Awards , we took home the evening's most anticipated and overall accolade - Catering Company of the Year 2026.
We received 5 awards on the night but the Catering Company of the Year award recognises our organisation's exceptional commitment to quality, innovation, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction across our catering services portfolio.
We are deeply grateful and honoured to win this prestigious award! It reflects the passion, dedication, and hard work that goes into cooking exceptional food and creating outstanding workplace experiences every single day. From our chefs and front of house teams to everyone working behind the scenes, this achievement belongs to every one of you.
The 5 awards Compass Ireland received at this year’s Gold Medal Awards all recognised something different.
Here’s a closer look at the people, teams and initiatives recognised on the night.
Raising the bar for workplace dining
Being named Catering Company of the Year is recognition of how an organisation performs across the board.
Over the past year, Compass Ireland has continued to introduce new ideas across the business. Collaborations with influential chefs and food ambassadors have shaped menu development, while high street food brands have found their way into workplaces. Technology has made ordering quicker and queues shorter, with AI-enabled tray scanners, pre-ordering and frictionless retail changing how customers move through busy restaurants.
Behind the scenes, investment in recipe development, procurement and menu planning has ensured those ideas can be delivered consistently across all our sites nationwide.
Some of these changes are visible to customers. Others are more subtle. Together, they reflect a business that’s continually striving for excellence and are committed to continuous improvement, innovation, in delivering exceptional food and hospitality experiences.
Good food should work for everyone
One of the evening’s awards recognised work taking place in education.
At RCSI, Compass Ireland was awarded On-site Educational Caterer of the Year, recognising an operation that serves one of Ireland’s most diverse academic communities.
Students, lecturers, researchers, visitors and hospitality guests all expect something different. Some need food that fits around demanding schedules. Others require carefully managed dietary provision. Hospitality events demand an entirely different level of execution again.
The award recognises an operation capable of delivering all of those experiences while continuing to diversify its menus, respond to customer feedback and maintain exceptionally high standards.
A partnership with lasting impact
Not every award celebrates food.
We have been proudly working in partnership with the National Learning Network (NLN) to create meaningful opportunities for volunteers across our business. This commitment was recognised at the Gold Medal Awards, where John Reilly was awarded for Professional Development & Training Initiative of the Year in recognition of his outstanding efforts in supporting and mentoring one of NLN volunteers at our site in Dublin.
The programme provides structured work placements for people who face barriers to employment, helping participants gain practical experience, recognised qualifications and, in many cases, permanent roles within the business.
For some, those placements become permanent roles within Compass Ireland, creating opportunities that extend well beyond the programme itself.
Leadership Matters
John O’Brien received Silver in the Catering Manager of the Year category for his work leading the Compass Ireland operation at Citibank.
Responsible for five restaurants within one of the company’s largest corporate contracts, John has built a reputation for delivering consistently high standards across food quality, compliance and client service.
Alongside running a complex day-to-day operation, he has played an important role in piloting new technologies and operational systems, helping shape improvements that have benefited the wider business.
The award recognises the consistency and operational discipline he has brought to one of Compass Ireland’s most complex catering operations.
Every industry needs its next generation
Fernando Carmeluti was named Overall Rising Star of the Year, recognising a talented chef whose progression has already attracted attention across Compass Ireland.
Following his success earlier this year as Compass Ireland's Junior Chef of the Year 2026, this latest award is a testament to Fernando's talent, passion and dedication!
For colleagues who have watched Fernando develop over the past few years, the award came as little surprise. It’s recognition of the work he’s put in, the standards he holds himself to, and the progress he’s made since joining the team.
A note from the CEO
“Awards like these are only possible because of the people behind them. I’m delighted to see so many colleagues and teams recognised, and particularly proud that Catering Company of the Year reflects the collective effort of our entire business. “I don’t think anyone expected so many trips to the stage, but we certainly weren’t complaining! It’s a wonderful achievement for everyone across Compass Ireland.”
Deirdre O’Neill, CEO, Compass Ireland
Looking Beyond the Awards
Collecting 5 awards in one evening is something to celebrate. More importantly, they’re evidence of where Compass Ireland is placing its attention.
While the awards celebrate achievements over the past year, they also reflect the direction of travel. Compass Ireland continues to invest in developing better food, better experiences, better opportunities for people and ultimately, better partnerships with clients.
Congratulations to everyone recognised, and to every team whose work contributed to an exceptional evening at the 2026 Gold Medal Awards.
