The National Association of Care Catering’s (NACC) Care Chef of the Year 2023 competition has opened for entries, officially starting the association’s search for the best chef working in the care sector.
The prestigious competition has been celebrating the culinary talent across the care sector for 23 years. Open to all chefs and cooks working in care settings, it recognises, showcases and celebrates their sector-specific knowledge, skills and flair.
The entry brochure can be downloaded here and the deadline for entries is Monday 24 April 2023.
The NACC Care Chef of the Year 2023 competition is once again supported by main sponsor Unilever Food Solutions and event sponsor The Worshipful Company of Cooks.
Focusing on the importance of food, nutrition and positive mealtime experiences as part of quality care, entrants are challenged to create an appealing and delicious two-course menu (main and dessert) appropriate for people in a care setting. The combined food cost for both courses should be no more than £3.50 per head based on three portions and it must be nutritionally balanced. The menu must also feature at least one product from Unilever Food Solutions’ sector-relevant catering range2.
All paper entries will be judged by a central judging panel and the successful chefs that make it through to the next stage will compete at the regional heats in June 2023. Here they will have 90 minutes to produce their dishes and demonstrate their skillset and knowledge under the watchful eyes of the competition judges. The judges will be looking for clear nutritional understanding of the foods they are using and how they benefit the needs of their clientele, plus culinary flair through flavours, menu balance, execution, presentation, and hygiene best practice.
The two highest-scoring competitors from each regional heat will compete for the title NACC Care Chef of the Year 2023 at the national finals on Tuesday 3 October at West Nottingham College
Sue Cawthray, National Chair of the NACC, said: “The launch of the NACC Care Chef of the Year is always an exciting event. This fantastic competition is a highlight of the NACC calendar and a brilliant platform to showcase the skills, knowledge and excellence of chefs working in our sector, as well as the career opportunities it offers.
“I encourage everyone to enter their amazing chefs and celebrate the culinary excellence our wonderful sector delivers. I can’t wait to see how this year’s competition unfolds. Good luck everyone!”
For more information on the NACC Care Chef of the Year 2023 competition and to download the entry form, click here.
