Salad Bar Franchise Founder Wins Award

The founder of Tossed, the fast casual healthy eating group, has been named among the top 30 hospitality figures by Caterer and Hotelkeeper.

Vincent Mckevitt, 29, received the accolade at the catering trade publication’s annual Acorn Awards.

Started in 1986 to recognise the 30 hospitality figures under the age of 30 that represent tomorrow’s leading lights, the Acorn Awards have spotted the likes of Marco Pierre White, Gary Rhodes and Marcus Wearing, all of whom rose to celebrity chef fame.

Since founding his smoothie and salad bar franchise in 2005, Mckevitt has opened seven units, created 100 jobs and been picked as ‘the one to watch’ for hospitality in The Observer’s ‘Future 500’ list.

After graduating with a first-class degree in business administration, Mckevitt researched the salad bar market in California and New York before opening the first Tossed. The company’s mission was to show the world that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring, and customers have proven receptive to its healthy food on-the-go concept.

Tossed specialises in freshly tossed-to-order salads, as well as wraps, soups and other healthy, nutritionally balanced, freshly prepared foods. By elevating salads, which are low in fat, GI carbs and calories, with no added salt, made with free range eggs and organic or farm-assured meats, from side-dish to main dish status, Tossed says it has altered people’s perception of what healthy eating is all about.

Of his award, Mckevitt says:

‘It’s a great feeling to be recognised within the industry and to meet so many of the people who have shaped and are shaping the way we eat. I have put my all in building Tossed and I firmly believe that the concept will grow.

“I like healthy food at a decent price and this is what we offer.”

The 2009 Acorns were presented at a ceremony held at luxury Von Essen’s Lower Slaughter Manor hotel, Gloucestershire.