Corporate social responsibility - the WhitCo Way.
Our approach to Corporate Social Responsibility starts within WhitCo, our team and our culture. It extends into our charitable activities for raising funds for Motor Neurone Disease, and Jeff’s Way. The Jeff’s Way logo represents our commitment to customer satisfaction and quality and is also a deliberate echo of the Thumbs Up icon used by MNDA, the Motor Neurone Disease Association. WhitCo is a passionate supporter of the MNDA, as a tribute to our founder Jeff Whitaker, who died of the disease in 2018.
Building a career and a life.
Inspired by our late great boss Jeff Whitaker, we have set up Jeff’s Way to help young people grow, develop and build great careers in our multi-billion pound foodservice & catering industry.
As well as supporting the development of young chefs, we offer apprenticeships to help young people join the ground floor what is now the UK’s largest service industry employing 125,000 people.
Building a career and a life.
Inspired by our late great boss Jeff Whitaker, we have set up Jeff’s Way to help young people grow, develop and build great careers in our multi-billion pound foodservice & catering industry.
As well as supporting the development of young chefs, we offer apprenticeships to help young people join the ground floor what is now the UK’s largest service industry employing 125,000 people.
Whitco wins national award for CSR.
Whitco wins national award for CSR.
Honoured with a national award for corporate social responsibility at the Catering Insights Awards, the WhitCo team demonstrates commitment to environmental consciousness, staff well-being, and charitable initiatives.
The accolade acknowledges WhitCo’s dedication to donate £18,000 by year-end and support training through Jeff’s Way, aiming to grow the first cohort to 25 individuals in the next five years.
Vita Whitaker, CEO and Commercial Director at WhitCo, said: “We have always cared so much about our team and we continue to do so, but to be able to extend it outside of our business is amazing and to be committed to people is truly amazing. We are very grateful for this award.”
WhitCo team accepts the Catering Insights Award for Corporate Social Responsibility.
How we help young chefs to build their careers.
Jeff’s Way was set up to honour the memory of Whitco founder Jeff Whitaker, following his untimely death in 2018.
The Jeff Whitaker Award is presented to Culinary Arts Students. The award provides an opportunity to help students to gain additional work experience within some of the country’s finest restaurants. These placements continue their education and create opportunities for professional development.
The locations for the placements are centres of excellence that are invested in the development of young talent.
The scholarships generously support a week’s training, accommodation, and expenses for the nominated students. A programme of mentoring and support continues after the placement.
Jeff’s Brigade, as the young chefs have become known, now includes Josie Milicevic (Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, 2019 and 2022), Nathan O’Farrell (Galvin at Windows, Park Lane Hilton, London, 2020), and Harry Keen (The Waterside Inn, Bray 2022).
FALCON INN, CASTLE ASHBY – In November, two more students will be joining the programme with stages planned at The Falcon Hotel, Castle Ashby, where they will work under the expert tutelage of Russell Bateman, pictured, former head chef at Gordon Ramsay’s Michelin-starred Knightsbridge restaurant Pétrus.
Away from the glamour, Jeff’s Way isn’t just about helping those wanting to work in fine dining restaurants. We are also invested in making catering and hospitality a career path for anyone wanting to work with food and drink. We see an equal value in careers in cheffing and serving across our industry from high-end venues to the creation of wholesome meals for those in care and education – and to serving that meal with a warm, caring and friendly smile. Food is our pleasure, and ultimately it is our salvation. In June 2023, five students will be joining the growing programme.
Jeff's Brigade - Young professionals gaining experience at the highest level.
Reinforcing the three pillars with financial support.
Jeff’s Way was set up in March 2018 as a Community Interest Company to promote three pillars that had helped Jeff to develop his career: education, opportunity and security. Since then, with the aid of supporters throughout the industry, we have raised more than £30,000 for good causes. Early recipients included organisations close to Jeff’s heart including the RNLI and Peterborough Sea Cadets. More latterly we have developed our programme for young food professionals and donated to the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).
Jeff’s Way will be working secure continuous investment for the future so that it can provide ongoing support. At the same time, we will look inwardly and seek to support the development of our own talented team here at WhitCo to ensure professional development and training as part of our work. Empowering our own people and giving them the best tools to do their jobs is the best way to serve our customers.
We’re guided by the concept of The Three Ps: People, Planet and Profit.
Plans are now in hand to purpose Jeff’s Way as a registered charity at the heart of the way that WhitCo works.
During my Stage, I had the honour of working at Galvin at Windows on the 28th floor of the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane. The restaurant is well-known for its amazing service and breathtaking views. This gave me the amazing opportunity to work alongside a world-class front-of-house team, serving incredible dishes prepared by talented and skilled chefs.
I was nervous at first and unsure of what to do, as I wasn't used to their style of service. Though, all of the staff were welcoming and supportive, showing me how everything worked and how I should do certain tasks. With everyone's help and support, I became more comfortable and confident in my work. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I was given and for everything I learned throughout my experience.
My week Stage at The Waterside Inn was really good! I found it difficult at the start because I didn't know what I was doing and wanted to help as much as possible, but everyone was really welcoming and I settled in quickly. It was a really good experience and loved every minute of it. I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Vita and everyone that made this possible. I couldn't be any more grateful and had a really good time there. You have made my dreams come true. Thank you!
Young people are our future. Our aim is to help them to benefit from education, opportunity and security. In this way they can grow, thrive and develop into a generation of adults that make a positive difference.
Hundreds pay tribute to Jeff Whitaker.
Hundreds pay tribute to Jeff Whitaker.
Hundreds of family, friends, employees and colleagues from the catering industry filled Oundle School’s Great Hall on Thursday to celebrate the life of WhitCo founder Jeff Whitaker, who died in January 2018 from Motor Neurone Disease (MND) after a short illness.
Among those paying tribute were Jeff’s cousin and former MP Phil Sawford, cousin Sebastian La Porta, David Grundy of Hobart, Whitco MD Tony Butler, catering consultant Tony Bannell, Oundle butcher and friend Martin Trendall, and close friend Richard Kirk.
They all spoke of Jeff’s generosity, loyalty, sociability, humour and courage in the face of his illness. Appropriately, the service was followed by generous hospitality at a reception in the school’s Great Hall. A collection for Jeff’s Way, the fund set up to support young people, was generously supported.
Jeff’s Way supports three causes that were close to Jeff’s Heart: the training of young talent whilst at Catering College (Jeff trained as a chef at Hull College when he was 16), the Sea Cadets where he developed his love of the sea and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
To find out more about MND, please visit the NHS website here.
