Care Cook of the Year finalists announced

The competition, run by the National Association of Care Catering (NACC), sees six finalists battle it out to win the top title during the final at the University College Birmingham on Thursday 9th July. The line-up for the tenth national Care Cook of the Year competition is – • Rosanna Stanforth – Nottinghamshire County Council • David Patterson – Cartref, South Glamorgan • Mark Ord - Sanctuary Care • Mark Wilkinson – Northwood Residential & Nursing Home Blackburn • Jose de Freitas – Four Seasons Healthcare • Patricia Hepburn – Tay Cuisine The Care Cook of the Year Competition continually challenges people who operate in the care sector to devise new and exciting recipes and to excel in their day-to-day catering environments. All the participants will have had to create a two-course meal suitable for their service users group adhering to nutritional guidance and a budget of £ 1.30 per head. In the final they will be producing four portions of their meal. The competition commences at 11.00, and the finalists will have 90 minutes to produce their meal from start-to-finish for the judges to decide who will earn the title of Care Cook of the Year 2009. Sue Ullmann, NACC Chair, commented: "Once again the cooks from the different care catering organisations have excelled in their choice of dishes. The meals that will be presented at the competition demonstrate the diverse dishes our service users receive and the high standard of skills of the care catering staff. "It is excellent to see how good nutrition is being achieved in the country's care establishments, and the commitment and dedication of the catering staff who strive to enhance the eating experience. This event is an opportunity to share good practice with others and it is through the support of the Worshipful Company of Cooks and the catering companies who donate the prizes that the NACC is able to promote and support this sector."