Care chefs have been tasked with cooking a main course and creating a dessert suitable for service users in a care setting. The combined food cost for both courses should be no more than £3.50 per head based on three portions.
The meal should be nutritionally balanced and incorporate a Unilever Food Solution’s product. Each contestant will be given 90 minutes to produce the meal. Previous winners of the competition include Chris Packard, Aaron Watson and Tim Ware.
Sue Cawthray, national chair of the NACC, said: “The NACC Care Chef of the Year competition is a fantastic platform to spotlight the skills, knowledge and excellence of chefs working in our sector. Delicious, nutritious food and positive dining experiences are fundamental to quality care, so you could say that the kitchen is at the heart of a care home.
“I encourage you to enter your amazing chefs and showcase the culinary excellence you deliver. It is not only open to those working in care homes but extends to local authorities and other care organisations, including hospices. Year-on-year, it continues to raise the profile of catering in the care sector and the achievements and opportunities for those working within it.”
The panel of experts will view entries and regional cook-offs will take place in June. The best two from each of the six NACC regions will be invited to a cook-off in the final on 3rd October 2023.
The overall winner will receive £600, a trophy, one year’s membership to the Craft Guild of Chefs and a prize from Unilever Food Solutions.
Steve Munkley, NACC head judge, added: “I am delighted and honoured to be head judge of the NACC Care Chef of the Year Competition once again. I am excited to see what the great chefs of the care industry can do and I wish all competitors the best of luck.”
For more information, read the entry brochure here.