Page 10 - NACC – 2018 Yearbook

10
A 30th anniversary
celebration to remember
Afternoon Tea at the Atheneaum Hotel
Dignitaries, founding members, past and present national and regional o cers, ambassadors, premier partners, media partners and industry associations gathered on Wednesday 24 May 2017 for a special afternoon tea reception, hosted by Baroness Howe, to honour three decades of the NACC’s outstanding work, achievements and camaraderie.
Neel Radia, national chair for the NACC, speaks fondly about the association and the uplifting occasion: “Over its 30 years, the NACC really has made a huge impact on care catering. Through our annual events and campaigns, guidance documents, network and the partnerships that we have formed, we really have improved the sector’s standards and reputation. For example, care chefs are now rightfully recognised as highly-skilled and knowledgeable professionals, the lack of a dedicated quali cation for the sector has been addressed and we have taken the ght to protect Meals on Wheels to MPs and the public.
“The most special thing about the NACC is its people. Without the commitment and passion of everyone that gives their time, knowledge and expertise voluntarily, its great work wouldn’t be possible. Everyone at the reception has made a huge contribution over the past 30 years and it was an absolute honour to celebrate with so many inspirational people. The association’s past, present and future was represented and, as we face the growing challenges brought about by our ageing population and the strain on social care budgets, I’m con dent that the NACC will continue to make a di erence for the next 30 years.”
WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING...
phone to all the London venues they had worked with before and had relationships with, such as The Royal Garden Hotel, Westminster Kingsway College and key hotel groups. By 11am they had four options. Plus, the lovely Sophie Murray, who happened to be in Mayfair that morning, went into the Athenaeum Hotel and asked to see the general manager. Having been caught in terrorist attacks in France many years before, he immediately agreed to help. Sophie put the food and beverage manager in touch with the McCullough Moore team who made sure all dietary requirements were sent over, menus were agreed, and all necessary payments were made.
Originally, the afternoon tea celebration was to be held at the House of Lords but at 9am on the morning of 24 May, Neel Radia received a telephone call stating the Houses of Parliament were on lock down due to the terrorist attack on Westminster Bridge the day before. We couldn’t host our afternoon celebration there....
So, with 100 guests and dignitaries travelling from all over the country (many of whom were already on route or in London) to attend our special event, there was no venue!
Neel picked up the phone to the national executive o cers and Billie Moore, managing
director at McCullough Moore, whose team was organising the event. Cancelling wasn’t an option, so another venue had to be found, and quick!
As this is its area of expertise, McCullough Moore sprang into action and engaged its entire team to take on three key responsibilities.
This was a priority!
THE RIGHT VENUE
The brief was tight; nd a venue with space for 100 guests, reception style, whose kitchen could turn around afternoon sandwiches, cakes and drinks for 2.30pm that very afternoon.
Billie and event manager, Sam, hit the
INTRODUCTION TO THE NACC