He emerged victorious from a field of 11 who gathered to contest this year’s final on October 3rd.
Nigel Cooke of Eastcote Park, Cinnamon Care Collection came runner-up and Jessica Vreede of Guthrie House, Four Seasons Health Care finished third.
Brian also picked up the Highly Commended award for his dessert, while Daniel Bree of Hartwood House, Cinnamon Care was Highly Commended for his main course.
Other awards went to Christopher Mitchley (St. John’s House, Castlemeadow Care) for Health & Hygiene and Kasia Hab-Bialkowska (Highmarket House Care Home, Care UK) for Sustainability and Waste Management.
Each finalist earned their place by winning a 90-minute regional heat that focused on the importance of food, nutrition and a positive mealtime experience.
The competition challenged chefs 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 £3.50 a head based on three portions, and the meal must be nutritionally balanced. Their dishes must also feature at least one product from Unilever Food Solutions’ sector-relevant catering range.
The finalists were:
• Nigel Cooke – Eastcote Park, Cinnamon Care Collection
• Alex Millichamp – Chandler Court, Care UK
• Chris Mattinson – Sycamore Court, Caterplus/Elior
• Brian Preston – RBL Lister House – Royal British Legion
• Jessica Vreede – Guthrie House, Four Seasons Health Care
• Graham Watson – Lauder Lodge, Care UK
• Kasia Hab-Bialkowska – Highmarket House Care Home, Care UK
• Chris Mitchley – St. John’s House, Castlemeadow Care
• Darren Nelson – Trymview Hall Care Home, Care UK
• Daniel Bree, Hartwood House, Cinnamon Care
• Alex Connell, Vegetarian for Life
• David Sharp, Signature for Barnet, Signature Care
The competition is supported by main sponsor Unilever Food Solutions and event sponsor The Worshipful Company of Cooks.
Brian will be joining other industry chefs and demonstrating his winning dishes in the Public Sector Catering Kitchen at the Public Sector Catering Expo on the 1st November, you can find out more and register for free entry on the website.