The National Association of Care Catering 2024 award presentations took place at the Gala Awards Dinner, held at the end of their annual Training & Development Forum. The forum is a popular two-day event that offers a wide range of keynote speakers, training workshops, live cookery demonstrations, meet-the-buyer meetings, exhibition viewing and networking.
NACC Care Chef of the Year 2024
Twelve entrants competed for the title of 2024 Care Chef of the Year in a very wet and windy Grantham. Entrants had 90 minutes to produce two courses for three covers. Samuel Sewell from Wellington Vale Care Home, part of the Cinnamon Care Collection, was the winner.
The winning dishes were Fish and Chips and Caramelised Namalaka with bourbon cherries and granola.
The Bev Puxley Award 2024
This year’s Bev Puxley Award winner was Steve Wright of Caring Homes Group Ltd. The award, sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Cooks, recognises the chef who is “an influential and motivated care chef who cares about the food they deliver to residents” and has “helped train others to achieve the same high standards of catering for their residents”. Steve was instrumental in transforming the dining experience within his care group. His work helped develop and produce menu options that cater for diverse dietary needs and preferences, as well as engaging with all residents to better understand how he can improve their well being and support in their care home.
Training & Development Forum: Veterans
As part of the Forum, Past Master Marcus Appleton was asked to Chair a panel discussion about the Veteran Friendly Framework Project engaging with Veterans both as residents and employees. Assisting him on the panel were Kathryn Glass – National Programme Lead Veteran Framework, Brian Preston – NACC Care Chef 2023 Winner (Ex-Army Chef) and Head of Catering Royal British Legion, and Andy Cullum – Ex-RAF Chef and now Consultant & Trainer for the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative.
In 2023 Care Home catering accounted for 26% of UK Public Sector Catering and is predicted to increase about 8% by 2028.
NACC Training & Development Forum was held 2-3 October 2024
