We are extremely proud to support of the huge talent that exists within the care catering sector as a long-standing event sponsor of the National Association of Care Catering (NACC) Care Chef of the Year competition.
Master Elect of the Cooks Company, Mike Richardson, and Chairman of the Assistance of Cookery committee, Past Master Marcus Appleton, had a great day at the finals, held at Loughborough College in Birmingham on Wednesday14th October. They joined Head Judge, Steven Munkley, also a Freeman of the Company, in the competition kitchen.
The winner of this year’s close-fought final was Steven Wright, Group Executive Chef at Caring Homes, an ex-army chef. He wowed the judges with a main course of Tandoori-spiced cod with Bombay fondant potato, sautéed Indian-style spinach, crisp cauliflower bhaji beignet, curried cauliflower purée, pickled cauliflower, mango chutney and coriander oil finished with micro coriander, and raspberry mousse with vanilla cream and cocoa crumble for dessert.
Tristan Welch of KYN and Darren Nelson of Trymview Hall, Care UK took second and third places respectively, with all 12 finalists impressing the judges with their skill and creativity under pressure.
The judging panel was looking for clear nutritional understanding of the dishes being prepared, plus culinary flair through flavours, menu balance and visual appeal, as well as waste management and hygiene best practice.
Contestants were challenged to create a delicious, attractively presented and nutritionally balanced two-course menu in just 90 minutes. Their chosen main and dessert needed to be suitable for service users in a care setting, with the combined food cost for both courses coming in at no more than £4.50 per head based on three portions, reflecting the tight budgets care chefs often have to contend with. The menu also had to feature at least one product from headline sponsor Unilever Food Solutions’ sector-relevant catering range.
The 12 finalists were:
Nigel Cooke – Head Chef, Eastcote Park and Oakley Grange, Cinnamon Care Collection
Matthew Dodge – Executive Chef, Loveday & Co
Richard Glover – Group Catering Manager, Ashbourne Lodge Care Home, Milford Care
Gareth Johns – Chef, Heathland House, Cinnamon Care Collection
Majlinda Ndoj – Chef Manager, Birchstone Care, White Oaks (Compass Group UK & I)
Darren Nelson – Head Chef, Trymview Hall, Care UK
Max Neumann – Head Chef, PJ Care
Tomasz Niedzwiecki – Chef Manager, Richmond Villages (part of Bupa)
Giuseppe Priolo – Head Chef, Cinnamon Care Collection
Graham Watson – Head Chef, Lauder Lodge, Care UK
Tristan Welch – Executive Chef, KYN
Steven Wright – Group Executive Chef, Caring Homes
For more information on the NACC Care Chef of the Year 2026 competition please visit www.nacccarechefoftheyear.co.uk
