The annual competition puts Aramark’s healthcare chefs to the test in an exciting live cook off. To mark Coeliac Awareness Week (9-15 May), the finalists were challenged to prepare, cook and present two portions of a gluten-free dish. The winning dish, created by Nora, was a deconstructed mikado, consisting of a coconut crumb, a raspberry marshmallow, and a raspberry gel.
The other five finalists included Roman Borowski from Mayo University Hospital, Himat Singh from Atlantic Technical University, Antonia Ciera Ramos from University Hospital Galway as well as Krzysztof Stefanski and Elizabeth Olusona, both from Royal Hospital Donnybrook.
Commenting on her win Nora said: “I am thrilled to have been named Aramark’s Healthcare Chef of the Year 2022. This is the first culinary competition I have ever taken part in, so to come away with a win is a proud moment for me. I’d like to congratulate my fellow competitors, who cooked amazing dishes on the day. A very big thank you to the whole Aramark team for organising a great event.”
The judging panel consisted of culinary director for Aramark Derek Reilly, Frances Buckley from the Coeliac Society of Ireland and the lead judge was Audrey Crone, executive chef at Unilever Food Solutions.
Reilly added: “This year our Healthcare Chef of the Year Competition coincided with Coeliac Awareness Week in Ireland, which was a big influence in deciding the competition rules. Our healthcare chefs are regularly required to modify their dishes to specific dietary requirements, so we thought this competition was the perfect opportunity for our finalists to put these skills to the test.
“I am extremely proud of all the finalists who showed a real passion, enthusiasm, and energy during the final, while also demonstrating diligence in their stringent hygiene practices. I’d like to thank Unilever Food Solutions and the Coeliac Society of Ireland for their involvement, and a special thanks to Frances and Audrey for joining us on the day to judge the dishes.”