The competition has been celebrating the culinary talent across the care sector for 24 years. Open to all chefs and cooks working in care settings, it recognises, showcases and celebrates their sector-specific knowledge, skills and flair.
The NACC Care Chef of the Year entry brochure can be downloaded here. The deadline for entries is Monday 6th May 2024. The competition is sponsored by Unilever Food Solutions as the main sponsor and the event sponsor is The Worshipful Company of Cooks.
The combined food cost for both courses should be no more than £4.50 per head based on three portions and it must be nutritionally balanced. The menu must also feature at least one product from Unilever Food Solutions’ sector-relevant catering range.
During the regional heats, chefs will have 90 minutes to produce their dishes and demonstrate their skills under the watchful eye of the competition judges.
The highest-scoring competitors from each regional heat plus wild cards selected by the judges will compete for the title NACC Care Chef of the Year 2024 at the national finals on Tuesday 1st October at Loughborough College.
Neel Radia, national chair of the NACC, said: “I always look forward to this competition as it is one of the best opportunities of highlighting the fantastic skills of the innovative and creative chefs who find such job satisfaction working within the care sector. It is also an inspiration to others who may be thinking of embarking on a worthwhile career in care catering.
“Great dining experiences are at the heart of everything we do, so there is no better occasion to showcase our talented chefs from around the country. The competition will again be overseen by the amazing head judge, Steve Munkley, who provides constructive feedback after each regional heat. That alone such be enough to encourage everyone to enter and celebrate the culinary excellence the care sector offers. I wish anyone who enters the best of luck.”