Chris Pickard crowned NACC Care Chef of the Year 2022
The National Association of Care Catering (NACC) has crowned Chris Pickard of Four Seasons Health Care as NACC Care Chef of the Year 2022.
NACC members and industry colleagues, partners and guests gathered at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham on 6 October for the association's gala awards dinner, part of the NACC Training & Development Forum, where Pickard was named winner of the competition.
Brian Preston of Lister House in Ripon, North Yorkshire, and Justina Bajorinaite from Vegetarian for Life took second and third places, respectively.
The national final took place on 5 October at West Nottingham College. Entrants were challenged to create a main and dessert appropriate for people in a care setting in 90 minutes. The food cost for both courses had to be no more than £3 per head based on three portions and be nutritionally balanced.
The judges were looking for clear nutritional understanding of the foods being used and how they support the needs of their clientele, plus culinary flair through flavours, menu balance, execution, presentation, and hygiene and waste management best practice.
Pickard impressed the judges with his menu of chicken ballotine with pistachio and basil stuffing, swede fondant, pea and spinach purée, smoked pepper and tomato sauce, followed by a dessert of banana and pecan frangipane tart with maple syrup crème fraîche.
Head judge Steve Munkley said: "As a newcomer to the NACC Care Chef of the Year competition, I was astounded by the incredibly high standard of cooking from all the chefs. The 10 finalists performed really well and exceeded all expectations.
"It was a closely fought final, which is evident in the fact that out of 500 marks, only 40 marks separated first and tenth place. However, Chris is the deserved winner, excelling in both courses. He showed an amazing set of skills and pushed himself to the limit in the time he had, producing a great mixture of flavours in his dishes.
"He was absolutely focused on the task in hand and this, in my competition judging experience, is an important characteristic of a winner."
Bajorinaite was also awarded Highly Commended Main for her satay tofu served with coconut rice and picked vegetables, and Graham Watson of Lauder Lodge Care Home scooped Highly Commended Dessert for his dark chocolate and salted caramel delice, mango whip, caramel and hazelnut garnish and tempered chocolate.
Alex Millichamp of Chandler Court was awarded the Hygiene Award and Brian Gollan of Ivybank House Care Home was presented with the Waste Management Award.
Sue Cawthray, the NACC's national chair, said: "Congratulations to Chris Pickard, our NACC Care Chef of the Year 2022. What an incredible final it was! All the finalists really stepped up to the challenge. They were impressive and inspiring and gave the judges a tough job in deciding the overall winner. They should all be very proud of themselves.
"This fantastic competition is so important for care catering as it is a real showcase and celebration of the exceptional talent and excellence of chefs in our sector – something that can often be overlooked by the wider foodservice and hospitality industry.
"Not only do care chefs provide delicious, uplifting meal experiences, but they also contribute to the physical and mental wellbeing of residents and customers and play a vital role in the provision of quality care. It's essential that we continue to champion and spotlight this important contribution to society and give care chefs and care catering professionals the recognition they deserve."
Further awards were handed out across six categories, including the new Bev Puxley Award, introduced in memory of the longstanding NACC supporter who passed away earlier this year.
The 2022 NACC Award winners also included:
- Care Establishment of the Year Award: Chandler Court, Care UK
- Meals on Wheels Award: Monmouthshire Meals
- Catering Team of the Year Award: The HC One Catering & Housekeeping Support Services, HC One
- Catering Manager of the Year Award: Vicky Meakin, kitchen manager, Aspen Court, and Chris Burdett, group food and beverage manager, Signature Senior Lifestyle
- Our Care Catering Hero Award: Valerie Kelly, chef manager, Houndswood House
- The Bev Puxley Award: Christopher Rees, head chef, Shipston Lodge Nursing Home
- NACC Region of the Year Award: North Region
- Pam Rhodes Award: Pauline Batty, corporate catering manager, Monmouthshire County Council
- National Chair's Award: Roger Bayliss, national treasurer, The National Association of Care Catering
Bayliss plans to step away from his role as national treasurer at the end of 2022.
Cawthray added: "Despite the continued challenging circumstances that we find ourselves operating in, care catering professionals have demonstrated that they can adapt with energy and flair to find solutions."
Pictured (left to right): Steve Munkley, head judge; Sue Cawthray, NACC National chair; Chris Pickard, NACC Care Chef of the Year 2022; Alex Hall, executive chef, Unilever Food Solutions; Virginia Bond, Master of the Worshipful Company of Cooks.
