Day one of the HCA Forum will feature three interactive sessions that involve a variety of award-winning chefs from the hospital catering sector showcasing healthy and sustainable meals.
The first session will see Charlotte Fairall, founder of Sophie’s Legacy, host a session with Mark Durden-Smith. In September 2021 Sophie Fairall passed away after a battle with cancer. Sophie was dedicated to improving hospital food for children and her mother Charlotte has continued her battle to drive improvement.
During the session the 2024 NHS Chef of the Year winners Alejandro Hernandez and Manuela Miccoli from the Royal Surrey Foundation Trust will prepare a meal for children in hospitals that should be the benchmark for all food served to children across the UK.
In the second session Nick Vadis and Mark Durden-Smith will discuss the importance of managing and reducing food waste in hospital kitchens. Chefs Alan Dougan and James Dougan from Greater Glasgow & Clyde NHS Trust will showcase some great dishes that will provide delegates inspiration for their own kitchens.
The final interactive session will see the winners of the HRC four Nations Challenge demonstrating dishes using locally sourced ingredients, low carbon menu options and delicious food as the NHS push forward their net zero objectives.
The NHS four Nations Challenge Best in Class for 2024 include Darren Taggart and Angela Dickson from Northern Trust HSCNI as well as Apetito development chef Jethro Lawrence.
As they cook, hosts Lee Sheppard and Mark Durden-Smith will explain why reducing carbon is so important, what strategies can be adopted and service options that caterers can adopt to achieve their sustainability goals.
The HCA Forum is the only national event dedicated to the production, delivery and service of nutritious food to patients, staff and visitors in the NHS. To complement the programme there will also be an exhibition of over 90 suppliers showcasing products, services and solutions.
The 2025 event will be the first HCA Forum under new national chair Iain Robertson, catering operations manager at Solent NHS Trust. Early bird booking rates are available for members until Wednesday 31st January 2025. To book, visit here.