Paul Rankin announces chef of the year

The overall winner, Mervyn Knights of Queens Court Care Home in Wimbledon, impressed judges with his nutritious but appetising menu. Out of all the entrants from Barchester's 170 care homes, just eight finalists were selected to take part in the final cook-off event. Each Chef was tasked with preparing a nutritionally balanced and appealing three course meal, to include a soup starter, and were each given a budget of £7.50 per head to work to. The Chefs created an array of stunning dishes that wouldn't have looked out of place in a Michelin star rated restaurant. First place was awarded to Mervyn Knights of Queens Court Care Home for his menu of Veloute of Celeriac & English Cider served with Walnut Filo Straws to start, Seared West County Pollack with Roasted Beetroot, Cavolo Nero Horseradish Crème Fraiche, and Hot Ginger & Fig Pudding with Clotted Cream, Butterscotch and Orange Crisp. Second and third places went to Rebecca Haggar of Castle Care and Katrina Ritchie of Archview Lodge Care Home, respectively. Each year there is a special prize for food hygiene, a vital element of running any kitchen, which went to Sam Whyte of Hunters Care Centre. Nutrition is a key priority for Barchester Healthcare and through their Cooking With Care initiatives Barchester are able to train their Chefs and catering staff to provide appetising and nutritious meals to those with small appetites and eating difficulties. Terry Tucker, Barchester's Director of Learning, Development and Hospitality said: "We want our residents to look forward to enjoyable mealtimes, however meagre their appetites. To this end we cook a variety of different and top-quality local foods, while all the time considering the needs and preferences of the individual. So, for instance, we serve food little and often to those people with small appetites and lots of different finger foods to sufferers of dementia to help them manage by themselves. Meal times are not rushed and our care assistants offer support to those who need assistance with eating. The Barchester Chef competition aims to celebrate the skills of our highly trained staff." In the first stages of the competition each home hosts a themed event complete with a themed menu created by the Head Chef. This year's theme was 'Musicals From Around the World' which allowed the Chefs to use their artistic licence to create culinary delights to themes of such musicals as The Sound of Music and South Pacific through to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.