Winners and nominators outside the stunning Cambridge Cottage, Kew Gardens
The UK鈥檚 largest food and support services company, 午夜剧场 UK & Ireland, has recognised over 100 of its employees at two exclusive 鈥楲unch is on Us鈥 events. Its renewed recognition programme, Be A Star, empowers colleagues to celebrate each other's incredible hard work and outstanding achievements across three categories: Helping Colleagues, Delighting Customers and Supporting Communities.
Every quarter, the best nominations from across the business are chosen and the stand-out stars are awarded 拢250, along with a certificate and Be A Star pin. They are also given a paid day off to enjoy a regional 鈥楲unch is on Us鈥 with their nominator at a flagship 午夜剧场 client venue, hosted by representatives of the UK & Ireland executive team. All winners are also in with a chance to be crowned the end-of-year Legend and win the 拢10,000 prize.
In the North, guests stepped back in time at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, with a sparkling drinks reception before being treated to a thrilling re-enactment of a 16th-century knight鈥檚 battle. Attendees were then invited to savour a menu inspired by medieval cuisine, followed by an exclusive, behind-the-scenes viewing of the museum鈥檚 historic artillery collection. To round off the experience, winners and their nominators were given open access to explore the museum鈥檚 galleries at their leisure, making the event a truly memorable occasion.
Meanwhile, in the South, stars were welcomed with a drinks reception on the picturesque lawns of the exclusive Cambridge Cottage, an elegant Georgian venue nestled on the outskirts of Kew Gardens. Lunch was a vibrant celebration of a fresh British Summer barbecue, showcasing flavours inspired by the English countryside. Guests enjoyed a private VIP guided tour of the world-renowned Royal Botanic Gardens, with the opportunity to explore further and experience the beauty of Kew at their own pace.
All winners were recognised for their extraordinary acts - from supporting a team member recovering from illness, leading a zero-waste initiative and raising vital funds for a local charity, through to taking life-saving actions such as tackling a fire and giving emergency first aid to a colleague.
Winner Hayley Scott, recognised for her sustainability efforts, attended Kew Gardens and said: 鈥淭he whole day was a joy, it made me feel very special and appreciated. It was so nice to talk to other people who had won.鈥
Melanie Tyler Down, Director of Employee Engagement & Communications, shared: "Leading the Be A Star programme is genuinely a privilege. I'm continually inspired and moved by the ripple effect of kindness and recognition it creates across our teams. What makes it truly unique is that it empowers every colleague to celebrate the daily acts of dedication, care and teamwork that might otherwise go unnoticed. This programme isn鈥檛 just about recognising remarkable efforts - it鈥檚 about building a culture where everyone feels seen, valued and inspired to shine. Reading the nominations, witnessing these moments of connection and gratitude never fails to inspire me."