Open to all chefs and cooks working in care settings, the competition showcases and celebrates their sector-specific knowledge, skills and flair. The NACC Care Chef of the Year entry brochure can be downloaded here. The deadline for entries is Monday 6th May 2024.
Focusing on the importance of food, nutrition and positive mealtime experiences as part of quality care, entrants are challenged to create an appealing and delicious two-course menu (main and dessert) appropriate for people in a care setting.
The combined food cost for both courses should be no more than £4.50 per head based on three portions and it must be nutritionally balanced. The menu must also feature at least one product from Unilever Food Solutions’ sector-relevant catering range.
All paper entries will be judged by a professional judging panel and the successful chefs that make it through to the next stage will compete at the regional heats in June 2024. The competition is sponsored by Unilever Food Solutions as the main sponsor and the event sponsor is The Worshipful Company of Cooks.
James Birch, customer development chef at Unilever Food Solutions, said: “We are very excited and proud to continue our sponsorship of the NACC Care Chef of the Year competition in 2024. This competition provides a great opportunity for care chefs around the country to showcase their skills and raise the profile of care catering.
“Our team at Unilever Food Solutions is delighted to be working alongside chefs within the care sector to ensure that every mealtime is the highlight of the residents’ day, be that supporting with activities to nutritionally analysed recipes, training, inspiration and competitions like this. We look forward to seeing how this year’s competitors rise to the challenge and wish them the very best of luck."
Brian Preston of RBL Lister House – Royal British Legion emerged victorious in the Care Chef of the Year competition last year. Previous winners have included Chris Pickard, Aaron Watson, Tim Ware, Martin McKee and John Grover.
Mr Paul Galpin, master of the Worshipful Company of Cooks, added: “To all competitors we send our best wishes and we look forward to being able to host the winner at our annual Prize Winners’ Lunch when you will be able to sit back and enjoy the results of someone else’s hard work. Good luck.”