Mitchells & Butlers recently held its annual Food and Drink Supplier Conference to share its business priorities and recognise outstanding performance, and excellence across its supplier network.

Around 200 of M&B's suppliers attended the conference, at its Retail Support Centre, Birmingham, which showcases best practice and opportunities for optimising trading relationships with its market leading brands. It provides a platform for M&B to work together more collaboratively with its supplier partners to leverage their expertise to enhance guest experiences.

The highlight of the conference was the presentation of the awards to reward innovative supplier food and drinks initiatives over the last 12 months.

Faccenda Group Ltd topped the bill being named Food Supplier of the Year. Over the last 12 months Faccenda has consistently demonstrated outstanding performance in product quality, service and cost leadership. As well as engaging with M&B to provide market leading and commercially compelling food offers to its guests.

Bibdendum was awarded the prestigious title of Drinks Supplier of the Year. The award was in recognition for Bibdendum's consistently high performance throughout the year and unprecedented approach to the provision of innovative solutions, valuable business partnering, account management excellence and dedicated training to champion drinks quality. Bibdendum demonstrate enthusiasm, strive for excellence and ambition to deliver a comprehensive shared business plan to support M&B.

Chris Hopkins, Commercial & Marketing Director for Mitchells & Butlers: "Our success is closely linked to the brilliant support we receive from our supplier partners. At this conference, we were able to celebrate some outstanding supplier achievements and innovations, and to discuss our strategy for future growth. I'd like to reiterate our sincere thanks to all our award winners, and to all our supplier partners for their continuing support."

Other winners included:

Excellence in Cost Leadership - York House Foods Ltd

Despite a challenging market place York House have continued to provide cost leadership by driving efficiencies throughout their business and the supply chain. The business has developed quality products which meet M&Bs pricing policy and deliver real value to our guests, consistently via our Frontline teams.

Excellence in Quality and Service - Invicta Foods Ltd

Invitca Foods Ltd manages a wide range of products through a complex global supply chain and have had an impeccable service level throughout the year. Invicta continue to provide new sources of product to ensure continuity of supply and work closely with all M&B departments to ensure the deliver great quality to its guests.

Excellence in Innovation - Scheff Foods Ltd

Scheff Foods Ltd continues to demonstrate real innovation, creativity and flare when developing products engaging and working closely with M&Bs food development managers to responded to rapidly changing customer demands. Scheff Foods demonstrate a real passion for food and delivering great product for M&Bs portfolio of brands.

Excellence in Category Collaboration - Bibendum

Bibendum have focussed on meeting M&Bs ongoing request for innovation by proactively providing a number of valuable solutions supported by comprehensive launch plans. They have approached all projects with a high quality of work that demonstrates their creativity, passion and flair.

Excellence in Account Management - The Beer Company

The Beer Company are particularly strong in adopting a tailored category approach providing innovative business growth proposals as they work tirelessly to exceed M&B's expectations

Excellence in Supply chain - Waddesdon This supplier manages a complex global supply chain, handling multiple products with fluctuating demand and have an impeccable track record in the areas of; on time delivery, service dependability and prompt problem resolution.