Sodexo, a leading food and facilities management services company, has announced a new collaboration with renowned chef Kate Austen for its contemporary workplace dining offer, Modern Recipe.
Kate, who is recognized as one of the industry’s rising stars, has made a name for herself on the culinary scene. She recently appeared on the BBC’s Great British Menu and became the first female chef in the show’s 19-year history to win the main course dish. Her impressive resume also includes working as the head chef of the two Michelin star Restaurant AOC in Copenhagen, the world’s youngest female to hold this position, and as a sous chef at the three Michelin star Restaurant Frantzen in Sweden. She has also worked as a senior development chef for Gordon Ramsay.
This partnership will see Kate working closely with Sodexo’s culinary team to co-develop new dishes, conduct seminars and demonstrations, and share her expertise on creating delicious and healthy meals.
In her role, Kate will engage and inspire Sodexo’s customers on the benefits of contemporary food and dining environments, including how it can fuel the body, increase productivity, and promote sustainability. This aligns with Modern Recipe’s ethos, which aims to elevate workplace dining experiences.
In an official statement, Kate expressed her excitement about the collaboration, saying, “I am incredibly excited to collaborate with Sodexo as its ambassador for Modern Recipe in the UK. Modern Recipe embodies a contemporary, healthy, and sustainable approach to workplace dining, and I am eager to work alongside Sodexo’s talented chefs and showcase this exciting and compelling brand.”
Modern Recipe is a vital element in helping companies provide a positive workplace experience for their employees. According to Sodexo’s Sustainable Food Barometer*, 50% of those polled stated they want to eat more sustainably at a work restaurant. Additionally, 58% said they have, or could, stop eating animal proteins in favor of plant proteins, and 73% believe that adopting a more sustainable way of eating is urgent.
Currently, Modern Recipe is available at over 30 selected Sodexo client sites in the UK, serving various industries such as financial services, pharmaceuticals, and technology. These outlets range in format from large restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops to kitchenettes, micro-markets, and smart fridges.
Inna Lim, Director of Marketing & Strategy for Sodexo UK&I Corporate Services, stated, “Kate is the perfect fit for Modern Recipe’s overall mission to bring employees healthy and delicious food that provides a moment of human connection. We are passionate about making every moment and every occasion an opportunity for hospitality, and with Kate’s talent, we look forward to her helping us elevate our goal even further. Her culinary vision and dedication to her craft perfectly align with our business ethos and brand values and represent a significant step forward in redefining the standards of workplace dining.”
Starting July 2024, Modern Recipe customers will have the chance to enjoy dishes endorsed by Kate, including Tamari and Ginger Cauliflower Bao Buns, Steak and Grains Bowl, and Korean Style Soy, Sesame and Veg Braised Pollock, Rice and Kimchi Cabbage.
With a shared commitment to sustainability and promoting health and wellbeing through food, this collaboration with Kate Austen will provide Sodexo’s clients and customers with a unique workplace dining experience.
For more information, images, or interview opportunities, please contact Chapter Communications at 07900 402 990 or laura@chaptercommunications.co.uk.
About Kate Austen:
Instagram Handle: @kate_f_austen
*Sodexo’s Sustainable Food Barometer, January 2024: https://uk.sodexo.com/homAe/media/news-room/newsList-area/uk-press-releases/sustainable-food-barometer.html
About Sodexo:
Sodexo UK and Ireland employs around 30,000 people and partners with clients in various sectors, including business and industry, schools and universities, sports and leisure, energy and resources, government and agencies, healthcare, justice, and defense. The company’s connected, people-centric approach brings together a diverse range of expertise, ranging from food and hospitality to cleaning, reception, concierge (Circles), security, property management, and technical services. Its value proposition, Vital Spaces, puts people at the heart of everything it does, focusing on the productivity and wellbeing of individuals wherever they are.
Globally, Sodexo was founded in Marseille in 1966 by Pierre Bellon and is the leading provider of sustainable food and valued experiences at every moment in life, including learning, working, healing, and playing. The company’s independence, founding family shareholding, and responsible business model set it apart. Sodexo operates in 45 countries, employs 430,000 people, and serves 80 million consumers daily. It is also included in various indices, including CAC Next 20, Bloomberg France 40, C
