Taking place 6 June at Barking and Dagenham College’s Technical Skills Academy, the finalists are:
- David Oswin - Signature at Loxley Park, Sheffield
- Anthony Newton - Primrose Bank, Poulton-le-Fylde
- John Grover, - Auchtercrag House Care Home, Ellon, Aberdeenshire
- Brian Gollan - Ivybank House Care Home, Polmont, Falkirk
- Steven Harding - Dormy House Care Home, Sunningdale
- Sam Nurse - Coombe Hill Manor, Kingston-upon-Thames
- Simon Lewis - Gracewell of Frome, Somerset
- Nicola Burroughs - St Monica Trust Retirement Village, Keynsham Bristol
- Cheryl Crook - Heol Don Nursing & Residential Centre, Cardiff
- Stuart Pelham - Sunrise of Cardiff
- Martin McKee - The Hawthorns, Aldridge
- Christopher Williams - Fernhill House Care Home, Worcester
Having impressed judges with their “innovative and tasty” two-course meals, which had to be nutritionally balanced, suitable for a care setting and cost no more than £2.25 per head for three portions of both courses, and produced in just 90 minutes.
National chair Neel Radia said: “Congratulations to the 2018 finalists! The incredible talents of chefs in the care sector continually impress me and all the competitors in this year’s NACC Care Chef of the Year competition are no exception.
“The standards at the regional heats were exceptionally high, and I applaud everyone that took part for being such fantastic ambassadors for care catering. I can’t wait for the final – it’s going to be an exciting and closely fought event.
“The NACC works hard to raise the profile of care catering and promote the specialist skills and knowledge that chefs in the sector demonstrate daily.
“Catering for those in a care environment is challenging. From ensuring meals are nutritionally balanced and beneficial, through to meeting individual needs such as special diets, cultural requirements, reduced appetites and eating difficulties caused by conditions such as dementia and dysphagia, there’s a lot to learn and consider.
“The Care Chef of the Year competition is a great platform to deliver this message and a fantastic source of inspiration for us all. It’s great to see finalists from previous years returning with their eyes on the main prize – this shows the esteem in which this competition is held. I wish all the finalists the very best of luck.”
Designed to “continually challenge care chefs and celebrate their excellent talent, skills and professionalism,” the competition is open to care chefs across the country.
The final takes place 6 June at Barking and Dagenham College’s Technical Skills Academy.