2008 NACC Care Cook of the Year crowned

Gareth came up trumps with a menu of smoked haddock kedgeree with vegetable rissotto with a poached egg & a mild curry sauce, followed by cabinet pudding with crème anglais. The creative caterer travelled to Birmingham on Thursday 3rd July to take part in the care industry's premier culinary contest. Gareth was among six finalists who qualified for the final cook off from a nationwide entry. The competition was open to all care sector caterers, who were invited to produce a menu suitable for a designated care sector client group. The contest is organised by the National Association of Care Catering (NACC), and supported by The Worshipful Company of Cooks. The aim of the contest is to raise the profile of this sector of the catering industry, and highlight the varied culinary skills and talents of cooks in the care sector. Gareth took up the challenge of creating a recipe for a two course meal which had to meet a number of criteria. These included: • imaginative use of ingredients • menu cost – under £1.25 for two courses per person • suitability for the client • meeting NACC nutritional criteria • passing a taste test • Creating a balance between main course and dessert. Sue Ullmann, National Chair NACC, said: "The depth of skill in the care industry has been highlighted today, they have brought their skills they utilise everyday in the workplace, to the competitive arena and once again highlighted the creativity that is so often under valued in this sector. As the government puts it's Improving Nutritional Care Action Plan into place these six finalists are an example of the quality of staff employed day in day out across Britain, in residential homes, children's centres, day care and community meals establishments. They should also be the benchmark for which every establishment must aim for as we all aim to improve nutritional care for those in our care." Gareth said on winning: "I am thrilled to have won the title of Care Cook of the Year, and have been able to show the skill I use in my workplace to a wider audience." The NACC is the professional organisation for caterers working in the care sector. This sector covers care homes, early year's centres, day centres, resource centres, and community meals services.