One of Stepping Hill Hospital’s catering assistants has been named as the best in the North West at a recent awards ceremony.

Charito Tantoy received the title of ‘Employee of the Year’ at the annual awards of the North West branch of the Hospital Caterers Association, which represents hospital caterers in NHS hospitals across the country.

Charito has been working with the hospital’s catering team for over ten years. Her main role is to coordinate with wards and departments around the ordering of food for patients, managing the managing the day to electronic meal ordering system and ensuring the varied nutritional needs of patients are met.

She was described by colleagues as a tireless, friendly and altruistic worker who always had nutritional needs of patients of her patients at heart. During the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic she was always ready to cover shifts and come in at short notice, and she has been instrumental in introducing the hospital’s new and improved electronic ordering system.

Duncan O’Neil, Catering Manager for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said “Charito is a real rock, a humble and caring person, and an amazing member of the team who somehow always manages to fix problems and ensure the service runs smoothly regardless of any obstacles.  I couldn’t be prouder to work alongside her.  The whole team here are so pleased that Charito has received this award  - it is truly deserved.”

Earlier this year, Stepping Hill Hospital was named as an ‘exemplar site’ by the NHS for its high standards of nutrition, and for the diversity and choice it offers for both patients and visitors, with options from cuisine across the world.