Rolld Awards Night: A Celebration of Partnership and a Major Win for Country Cooked

Rolld’s Awards Night at Metropolis Events has become one of the most anticipated dates on the calendar, and this year’s event lived up to that reputation. Held in the heart of Southbank with views across the Yarra and the city, the evening brought together franchise partners, suppliers, support office teams and leadership for a night built around recognition and genuine appreciation.

The seven-course banquet curated by Crystal Palace set the bar high from the start, and Kevin Hong (@eatswithkevin_) kept the room engaged with his hosting style, adding personality without forcing it. Throughout the evening, Roll'd rolled out surprises, giveaways (a trip for two to Thailand) and thoughtful moments of recognition, reinforcing that this was not just a corporate event but a celebration of shared achievement.

For Country Cooked, the night carried particular significance. Beyond enjoying the event itself, we walked away with one of the highest honours a supplier can receive within the Roll'd network.

Supplier of the Year – Two Years in a Row

This year, Country Cooked was awarded Supplier of the Year for the second consecutive year. That alone is a significant achievement, but what makes it even more meaningful is the broader history behind it. We previously won the award in 2020 and 2021, meaning this latest win marks our fourth time taking home the title.

Awards can often feel like a snapshot, but winning repeatedly over multiple years shows something deeper: consistency. Reliability. And a partnership that has not only lasted but strengthened.

Our work with Roll'd goes far beyond simple supply. Country Cooked is responsible for producing the cooked meats that form the center of plate protein of several of their core menu items nationwide. This includes the proteins used across their stores every single day. We also work closely with Executive Chef Jerry Mai, collaborating directly on product development to ensure every item aligns with authentic Vietnamese flavour profiles while still being scalable for national distribution.

Jerry’s expectations are high, rightly so - and the collaborative process between her and our team has shaped the products that Roll'd is best known for. From navigating ingredient authenticity to tailoring cooking methods that preserve flavour at scale, this partnership is practical, hands-on and deeply embedded in both businesses. Our shared commitment to quality and cultural accuracy is one of the reasons the relationship has remained strong for so many years.

The Official Announcement

One of the most powerful moments of the night came when Ray Esquieres, Rolld’s CEO and Co-Founder, introduced the award. He didn’t rush through the category or treat it like a formality. He made it clear why this recognition matters and what it represents.

His words captured the intent behind the partnership and set the tone for the announcement:

“Supplier of the Year nominees are Asahi, Country Cooked Meats and Provincial Produce.T his category represents a partnership between Roll’d and a supplier built on trust, collaboration and a shared commitment to excellence. They help us as a business deliver experiences to our customers nationwide. We are grateful for the partnership, consistency and trust you bring to our brand. This year’s winner has gone above and beyond the expectations of a supplier partner. With minimum issues, and even when there are issues, there are quick resolutions, excellent communication and a trustworthy partner in quality. And the winner of Supplier of the Year goes to Country Cooked Meats!”

Hearing that in a room full of franchise partners, operators, support office staff and industry colleagues wasn’t just a proud moment – it felt like a validation of the effort the entire Country Cooked team puts in behind the scenes.

When a CEO describes your organisation as a partner that delivers quality, resolves issues quickly and communicates clearly, that reflects not just one interaction but years of steady, accountable work.

A Night That Highlighted the Strength of Rolld’s Network

While the award was a major highlight, the event as a whole reinforced why partnerships like ours with Roll'd work so well. Franchise partners were recognised for sales, growth and operational excellence. Individual team members were celebrated for leadership and contribution. Suppliers were acknowledged for their role in keeping the brand’s promise to customers consistent nationwide. When you’re in partnership with a brand that takes its systems, culture and community seriously, it shows in events like this.

Why This Win Matters for Country Cooked

This recognition reflects thousands of hours of work across teams that often go unseen. Production teams maintaining standards and timelines.QA teams protecting quality and integrity. NPD teams working with chefs like Jerry Mai to refine flavour, process and scalability. Customer service and logistics teams managing day-to-day communication, dispatch and issue resolution. Leadership ensuring alignment, responsiveness and support at every level. Ray’s comments during the announcement hit on the key factors suppliers are measured on: reliability, communication, speed of resolution, product quality and partnership mindset. Winning this award four times, and twice in a row, confirms that we’re delivering on those expectations consistently.

Looking Ahead

This win is a moment worth celebrating, but it’s not the finish line. If anything, it gives us more momentum heading into the new year. Roll'd continues to evolve, expand and refine its offering, and our job as a supplier is to stay ahead of those needs. The partnership with Roll'd especially the hands-on product development work with Executive Chef Jerry Mai, will continue to be a driving force in how we innovate and deliver. Authenticity, quality and operational reliability will stay at the centre of everything we do. We’re proud of the recognition and grateful for the trust Roll'd places in us. As we wrap up the year and look toward the next phase of growth, our focus remains the same: deliver quality without excuses, communicate clearly, resolve issues fast and support the Roll'd franchise

group with the reliability that earned this award in the first place.