Chefs from across the company battled it out to create a new and innovative recipe with a maximum food cost of £2 per person.
Regional heat winners were then judged by a rigorous tasting session at the grand final, where they prepared their dishes under strict competition conditions.
Alan Richardson, catering manager at Allied Bakeries West Bromwich, took the winning prize (a weekend break for two) for his Cajun Straw Chicken with a Sour Cream & Chive Dip creation.
The dish was praised by the judges for its creativity, impressive skill and alignment to the company’s Eat Well Live Well motto, which aims to promote the benefits of healthy eating and living across the whole company.
Richardson said: “I’m delighted to have won the first ever ‘Cooked Well’ contest. I was up against some top competition and it was an absolute honour to be announced as the winner.”
The winning recipes will now be incorporated into the menu database to be used throughout the entire organisation.
Richardson fought off tough competition from Andrew Lewis, area support manager Liverpool, who cooked a butternut & pumpkin seed moussaka and Dean Bennett, area support manager north west, who was awarded third place for his chicken ballotine with red pepper sauce. Both chefs received a meal for four and a family ticket to a theme park.
Ian Cartwright, Dine Contract Catering’s managing director, said: “It was great to see team members from across the business taking part. Throughout the competition, we were looking for our chefs to produce a new and innovative meal which aligns to our company’s ethos of healthy eating and living and we were very impressed by the skills demonstrated.
“Not only was the competition a chance to showcase their skills, but it was also an opportunity to share ideas and learn from one another.”