A St Albans manager has been awarded for her work in training catering staff.

Lois Barry has worked in catering for Fleetville Junior School and How Wood Primary School in St Albans throughout her 18 year catering career, with her now winning the “Manager of the Year” award from Hertfordshire Catering Ltd. as their training and standards manager.

Previously Ms Barry worked as the Senior Skills Trainer for more than five years and as a Skills Trainer for more than 12 years before that.

The HCL Awards recognise the work of catering and management staff in colleges and other organisations, and the training team help to ensure consistent service across their kitchens.

Ms Barry said: “I was in total shock when my name was announced as winning the Manager of the Year Award and it’s wonderful to be recognised for the job that I love so much.”

There were 31 shortlisted nominees across 10 categories at the gala dinner and ceremony on May 11, with the training team also winning an award.

HCL chief executive Lin O’Brien said: “Our staff are our greatest asset; they have great passion for what they do and have a huge commitment to the schools they work with.

“Our awards ceremony is just one of the ways we celebrate them and the outstanding contribution they make.”