Now into its fourth year, the competition provides chefs with practical experience, mentoring and peer networking. The competition is focused on chef duos demonstrating a healthy and nutritious menu which is low in carbon within a budget of £6-£8 for three courses and three covers.
Three of the five regional finals have already taken place with the next two scheduled to take place in Stratford-upon-Avon on 6th August and Weston Super Mare on 13th August. Competition requirements:
- One course must be allergen-free
- The starter must be plant-based (competitors can merge the first two requirements)
- No form of nut may be used throughout the competition
- The main course must have a minimum of 26g of protein per portion, which can be meat, fish or other times, and must be served hot
- The dessert should be based on 50% fruit content and may be served hot or cold.
The regional final winners will move onto a three-day mentoring event to be held in Cannock from 3-5th September. The national final will be held in York from 13-18th October. The exact format of the final will be shared at the mentoring event when the teams are assigned a mentor.
Phil Shelley, senior operational & policy manager for NHS England, said: "The NHS Chef 2024 will build on the success of NHS Chef 2023, which was won by Dylan Lucas and Darby Hayhurst, who are based at East Lancashire Hospital.
“The challenges faced by NHS chefs over the past few years have been unprecedented. This has not however stifled innovation or creativity. This year’s competition will focus on reduced saturated fats, sugars and salts and be nutritionally sound. All menus will be shared across the NHS and form part of a wider national NHS Menu Bank.”