“Celebrating the excellent talent, skills and professionalism of chefs in the sector and raising its profile,” the competition requires participants to create “new exciting recipes” while adhering to a strict budget and meeting the nutritional needs of their clientele.
For the first paper entry round, chefs must create a nutritionally-balanced main and dessert that is suitable for a care setting, and costs no more than £2.25 per head based on three portions for both courses. It must also incorporate one of sponsor, Premier Foods’s, brands listed in the competition entry brochure.
Successful applicants – judged for their innovation, costing, suitability for the environment, adherence to nutrition guidelines, taste and overall menu balance - will then enter the regional heats, where they will have 90 minutes to produce their dishes and demonstrate their skill set in front of judges.
The two highest-scoring competitors from each heat will secure a place in the national final on 6 June, taking place at Barking and Dagenham Technical Skills Academy.
National chair of the NACC, Neel Radia, said: “We’re very excited to launch our search for the 2018 NACC Care Chef of the Year. As the longest standing UK culinary competition for the care sector, it has a fantastic reputation for showcasing the exceptional skill, talent and knowledge held by care chefs. As well as meeting nutritional needs, the dishes they create are incredibly creative and delicious, and they would not look out of place in the finest restaurants.
“This competition is a great way of raising the profile of care catering and motivating and developing chefs. Catering for those in a care environment is challenging. The elderly and vulnerable have specific dietary needs and it’s crucial to their health and wellbeing that these are correctly and safely met. That’s exactly what care chefs and caterers work tirelessly to ensure every day.
“The standard of entries grows year on year and 2018 is sure to be an impressive and inspiring competition. I urge all chefs to enter and I look forward to the excitement unfolding throughout the regional heats and, of course, the national final.”
For more information or to download an entry form, visit: http://www.thenacc.co.uk/events/care_chef_year.