Awards & Accreditations

Finalists in the Green Gown Awards 2026

The ways that food is grown, sourced, prepared and enjoyed across our campuses has been recognised in the Green Gown Awards

TUCO award acceptance - Nicky Stanbury

Nick Denning and Janet Szypillo - TUCO Awards Gold medal standard and Best in Class

Barista Skills: Keegan Walker - Gold standard and Francisco Ramos Vazquez - Bronze standard.

Latest News!

Shortlisted for prestigious Green Gown Award

Our University's commitment to sustainable food has been recognised with a finalist place in the Green Gown Awards within the ‘Campus Health, Food and Drink’ category for our entry, ‘Building a campus-wide sustainable food system’. This recognition celebrates the collaborative efforts of our Catering, Retail and wider University teams in transforming the way food is grown, sourced, prepared and enjoyed across our campuses. Aligned with Strategy 2030, the initiative incorporates ethical sourcing, food production via the campus kitchen garden, creative menu design, waste reduction and circular systems, creating a more sustainable and inclusive food experience for our community. Winners will be announced at the awards in November.

TUCO Competition awards scoop 2026

The University's Catering & Retail team achieved a 100% medal success rate at the 2026 prestigious annual University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) competitions.

The teams prepare for months each year before the competition, which is attended by universities from across the UK, providing a highly competitive opportunity for colleagues to represent the University and enhance their Continuing Professional Development.

Seven team members competed across multiple awards categories. Following a gruelling series of events, the team secured the following awards, equating to eight medals (two Gold, four silver and two bronze), alongside three Best in Class awards:

• Barista Skills: Keegan Walker - Gold standard and Francisco Ramos Vazquez - Bronze standard.
• Mixology: Chloe Drew- Bronze standard.
• Vegan: Nicky Stanbury - Silver standard.
• Sandwich: Nicky Stanbury – Silver standard and Best in Class.
• Breakfast: Federica Laudani - Silver standard and Best in Class.
• Seafood: Federica Laudani - Silver standard.
• Chefs Challenge: Nick Denning and Janet Szypillo - Gold medal standard and Best in Class - the most prestigious award in the TUCO competitions.

Director of Catering, Retail Services & Commercial Development, Simon Law said “I am incredibly proud of what this team has achieved. Their commitment, passion, and professionalism not only delivers exceptional results, but continues to elevate our reputation for excellence across the sector. They are fantastic ambassadors for the University of Exeter.”