With over 50 residential, nursing and homecare branches across the UK, the Awards spanned nine categories, including Rising Star and Inspirational Dementia Lead, and were open to all staff members.
The 2018 and first-ever Chef of the Year Award went to Marc Southernwood, head chef at Felixstowe’s Foxgrove residential home.
Nominated for by colleagues, Healthcare Homes Group then selected three finalists to compete in the live cook-off at Nestle’s training and development kitchens (Gatwick), where they had to produce a three-course meal “presented to the highest standard” and which would be enjoyed by residents.
They also had to prepare a separately plated version of the main meal modified to suit a resident with swallowing difficulties.
Southernwood’s winning menu comprised: salmon mousse with dauphinoise potatoes and alioli to start; a chicken in a mushroom, tarragon and cream cheese sauce with duchesse potatoes, honey roast carrots and buttered leeks main and lemon syllabub with shortbread and caramel sauce for dessert.
Impressing the judging panel made up of the Group’s executive team and a Nestle representative, Gordon Cochrane, Healthcare Homes Group chief executive, commented: “Congratulations to Marc Southernwood for winning the Chef of the Year.
“It was a hard-fought contest and all of the dishes produced were of a fantastic standard. Marc scored highest with judges who were impressed with the delicious depth of flavours, quality of presentation and attention to detail.
“Well done to all nominees and of course to our worthy runners-up, Ian Hook
and Wesley Brooks.”
Group chief operating officer, Helen Gidlow, added: “The cook-off was a challenging yet fun day for three of our chefs, which took place ahead of the awards evening.
“I’m very proud to have such great chefs working in our homes; they all performed so well and it is clear to see why they were nominated. I would also like to extend our thanks to Bidfood (food sponsor) and Nestle for their invaluable support in setting up this competition, supplying the fresh ingredients and use of their training kitchens.”
The full list of Star Awards winners is as below:
- Chef of the Year - Marc Southernwood (head chef at Foxgrove care home, Suffolk)
- Apprentice / Learner of the Year - Tracey Law (Cedar Court care home, Oxfordshire)
- Rising Star - Emily Williams (Thetford branch of Manorcourt Homecare)
- Inspirational Dementia Lead - Christine Morgan (Claremont House, Norfolk)
- Making a Difference - Tracey Wenham (Sovereign Lodge care home, Eastbourne)
- Homecare Co-ordinator - Anne Marie Brown (Attleborough branch of Manorcourt Homecare)
- Frontline Leader Award - Kay Emsley (Shipdham Manor care home, Norfolk)
- Carer of the Year, Healthcare Homes - Kerry Duffield (Foxgrove care home)
- Carer of the Year, Manorcourt Homecare - Anngi Henry (Harlow Manorcourt branch)