Head Chef at Meallmore Lodge Care home, Inverness since 2014, Middleton won with main meal: Traditional fayre with flair: Haggis, neeps and tatties followed by dessert: Culloden Cranachan (A Meallmore twist on a classic). He also won the Highly Commended Main Course.
Middleton said on winning: "I’m overwhelmed to have won. I didn’t expect it as the calibre of the other finalists was unbelievable.
“I competed last year but I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect, so I over-complicated everything. This year I simplified it. I engaged with my residents to create a menu they love and that’s Scottish through and through. I definitely enjoyed the final more this year. What an amazing day!”
In 2nd place, Peter McGregor Head Chef at Perry Manor, a new build Care UK home, Midlands region. He won with his main meal: Cod loin wrapped in potato with summer greens and herb beurre blanc followed by dessert: Raspberry crème fresh mousse in shortbread with crème chantilly.
3rd place went to Martin McKee, who also won Highly Commended Dessert, is Head Chef at The Hawthorns, Midlands region. He won with his main meal: Zesty hake & fondant potato, and dessert: Soft toffee apple chocolate cup, walnut short bread and orange anglaise.
Sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Cooks and Premier Foods, the competition spotlights the 11 national finalists who were judged throughout the process of cooking, their presentation and the taste of the food. They were challenged to create a nutrionally-balanced, two-course menu ensuring suitablity for serivice users in a care setting. The combined food cost for both courses could be no more than £2.25 per head based on our portions and was to be produced in just 90 minutes.
NACC Head Judge, Bev Puxley commented: “Judges will be looking for Innovation, costing, suitability of the meal for the environment, adherence to nutritional guidelines, taste and overall menu balance.
"Our specialist nutrition may ask questions to test your understanding of good nutrition”
Neel Radia, National Chair of NACC said: "Congratulations to Stuart Middleton on being crowned NACC Care Chef of the Year 2017. What a fantastic achievement!
“2017 marks the 30th anniversary of the NACC and this wonderful competition has been instrumental in our ongoing and succesful work to highlight the amazing culinary talent within the sector. The fantastic competition gives chefs in the care sector the opportunity to showcase their talents and champion their field and this year has seen an unprecedented number of entries from across the UK. Care chefs have to be highly skilled and knowledgeable to cater for the elderly and vulnerable. As national chair of the NACC, I am delighted to see the competition continuously grow. It is a testament to the high standard of culinary skills within our sector.”