From first timer to food to go champion: Georgina wins big at The Sammies 2025
Pictured: Georgina Percival, the 2025 Sandwich & Food to Go Designer of The Year
We’re very proud to share that Georgina Percival, our Junior Development Chef, has been crowned the 2025 Sandwich & Food to Go Designer of the Year at this year’s Sammies Awards.
Hosted by The British Sandwich & Food to Go Association, the Sammies are a national celebration of the most exciting talent and innovation in the food-to-go space. And this year, all eyes were on Georgina and her standout creation: the Middle Eastern Labneh Lamb Wrap.
A wrap that stole the show
Georgina’s dish, entered into the Futura Foods Labneh Category, combined slow-cooked spiced lamb with cool, creamy labneh and vibrant pickled vegetables – all wrapped in soft, hand-made Labneh flatbread. Packed with flavour and layered with texture, her wrap took home the category win before going on to claim the overall title.
Pete Ward, MD at the Sammies said: “In a competition where the standards were incredibly high, our judges were blown-away, not only by Georgina’s winning entry, but by her potential.
“Her delicious ‘Middle-Eastern Labneh-Lamb Wrap’ perfectly met the competition brief. The beautiful presentation hinted at the delight which was to follow, as the sweet and savoury notes delivered an unsurpassed taste experience. Most importantly, Georgina’s use of labneh – the ingredient nominated by sponsor Futura Foods – was inspired.
“Through its inclusion in the hand-made flatbread, the marinade and the tzatziki, Georgina ensured the labneh had a starring role as the hero in her sandwich epic.
“Georgina is thoroughly deserving of the title ‘Sandwich & Food to Go Designer of the Year’”
A rising star in food development
This was Georgina’s first time entering The Sammies, making her win all the more impressive. As one of our talented Junior Development Chefs, she brings bold ideas and a deep understanding of flavour to every brief – and this award is proof that she’s one to watch!
“It’s an incredible feeling to have my work recognised on a national stage, especially at such a prestigious event as The Sammies” says Georgina.
“Winning two awards was a real surprise. This is a proud moment for all of us and highlights the forward-thinking development happening every day in our kitchen.
“I wanted to show that vegetables can do so much more than play a supporting role in sandwiches – they can enhance and elevate a dish, especially when used creatively and with care. Vegetables can still stand out and bring incredible flavour, texture and colour even in meat-based recipes. It’s exciting to see more interest in this kind of innovation and I feel lucky to be part of a team that encourages that exploration and originality.”
What it means to us
This marks back-to-back victories for our innovation team, following James’s success last year with his California Prawn Roll.
A company is only as innovative as its people, and we’re proud to be surrounded by some truly passionate foodies in business. We’re all about helping our customers stand out with ingredients that are exciting, thoughtful, and full of flavour.
Recognition like this reflects the passion and dedication that go into everything we develop — whether it’s for high-street brands, QSRs, or leading casual dining restaurants.
If you’re looking for standout ingredients and development support that brings your menu to life, we’d love to chat. Whether it’s big trends, nostalgic twists, or bold global flavours, we’re here to make it happen.
