The theme for the Forum this year is ‘Future Proofing Your Care Catering Operations’ and will cover everything someone working in the care catering sector will need to know now and for the future.
The Forum will provide a wide range of keynote speakers, masterclasses, live cookery demonstrations, meet the buyer/supplier meetings, exhibition viewing and networking.
The first day will conclude with a celebration of the 2025 Care Chef of the Year finalists, with the crowning of this year’s winner. This is a change from previous years and allows the chef to receive the attention that they deserve.
Neel Radia, chair of the NACC, will kick-off the second day with opening remarks, followed by sessions exploring how to future-proof your care home kitchen, leverage AI and technology to enhance your services.
Other sessions will reflect on the first year under the new Government, examine the caterer’s role in supporting resident wellbeing and explore the risks associated with feeding residents who have allergies or other dietary challenges.
The programme includes speakers such as:
- Simon Stenning, founder of Future Foodservice – How will Britain eat in the care home catering market over the next ten years
- Josh Hawker, head of operations at Ablecare Homes Ltd – Are Care central production kitchen’s the way forward in the Care Sector?
- David Mulcahy, vice president of The Craft Guild of Chefs – Future proofing your Care Home Kitchen
- Vic Rayner OBE, chief executive of The National Care Forum – Adult Social care – Where are we now?
- Dr Jane Townsend OBE, chief executive of Homecare Association – Use of AI and technology in Care Services
Special celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala OBE DL, chef proprietor of Café Spice Namasté, will be cooking some small plate dishes for the delegates to take inspiration from and share with their residents. There will be an additional three cooking demonstrations:
- Richard Clark, north England area manager at Robot Coupe – will give ideas to increase residents’ hydration and fibre intake through a range of great tasting drinks.
- James Brown, development chef at Unilever Food Solutions and Samuel Sewell, head chef at Cinnamon Care Collection (NACC Care Chef of the Year 2024) will demonstrate desserts with benefits.
- Jamie Clews, key account manager and development chef at Metcalfe Catering looking at reducing food waste one item at a time.
The NACC Training & Development Forum will culminate with the Gala Dinner followed by the NACC Awards, when the winners are revealed and celebrated. For more information or to book your place, visit here.