Through this new series, we will shine a spotlight on each Public Sector Catering Award winner in turn, taking a closer look at their achievements, the challenges they have overcome and the impact they continue to make within their organisations and communities.
Millie Morgan, a culinary specialist within the NHS Supply Chain: Food team, is the embodiment of this ethos. As the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award for 2026, Millie is recognised for her rare ability to combine technical culinary excellence with a profound sense of empathy that ‘wins hearts and minds’ across the NHS.
Over the past three years, Millie has become an indispensable asset to the trusts she supports. Operating across a broad geographical area, she brings a ‘fresh pair of eyes’ to hospital kitchens, working alongside incumbent teams to drive real change.
Whether she is mentoring junior staff, supporting menu development, or navigating the complex financial pressures facing modern trusts, Millie does so with a reassuring charisma that puts everyone at ease. As Erica Bell of Stepping Hill Hospital perfectly captures it: “Every kitchen should have a Millie.”
Her impact reaches far beyond the kitchen pass. Millie has been a staunch advocate for Sophie’s Legacy, working closely with founder Charlotte Fairall to improve the intricacies of paediatric feeding. Her pivotal role in creating the ‘More Please’ and ‘Even More Please’ child feeding books has provided trusts with vital resources to ensure the youngest patients receive the nutrition and care they deserve.
This commitment to service is mirrored in her work with the NHS Chef Academy and Skills Academy, where she translates innovation into practical, achievable solutions for frontline staff.
Perhaps Millie’s most visible triumph has been her contribution to the 2025 NHS Chef of the Year programme. Widely regarded as the most successful year in the competition’s five-year history, much of this success is attributed to Millie’s involvement.
In a high-pressure environment where professional pride and personal nerves often collide, Millie was a constant, steadying presence. From the initial mentor events to the five-day finals in York, she absorbed pressure, resolved invisible issues, and treated every competitor as an equal.
Competitors did not just see her as an organiser; they saw her as a mentor and a friend. She fostered an atmosphere of calmness and humanity that allowed chefs to deliver their absolute best. The rapturous standing ovation Millie received on the finals night - from competitors and stakeholders alike - was a testament to a contribution that went far beyond her job description.
Millie Morgan does not seek the limelight; she would likely claim she is ‘just doing her job’. However, those who work with her know she is doing so much more.