A SOLIHULL care home chef has been crowned winner of a regional competition – for the third year in a row.
Nigel Cooke, the head chef at Eastcote Park care home came out on top at the Midlands regional heat for the National Association of Care Catering (NACC) Care Chef of the Year competition.
He is one of just 12 chefs nationwide to have been selected for the national final which will take place in October.
During the regional heats, competitors were given 90 minutes to create a delicious, nutritious and cost effective two-course menu appropriate for people in a care setting.
They also had to impress the judges by showing their own flair through contemporary flavours.
Nigel said: “The standard was extremely high and I am incredibly proud of this achievement.
“My friends, family, colleagues and all the residents and hospitality team at Eastcote Park have given me so much support. It is such an honour to be in the final again – and this year I fully intend to win!”
Nigel’s winning main course was streaky bacon wrapped pork tenderloin, served with black pudding cottage pie, celeriac puree, ep sauce, broccoli, celery, walnuts, radish and apple.
His desert was called ‘Sweet Memories of Black Forest Gateau’, which he served with mascarpone. He created this to celebrate 200 years of Cadbury’s chocolate and their partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Mark Shockledge, senior general manager at Eastcote Park said: “Nigel is a very talented chef. Through hard work, diligent ingredient sourcing and showcasing a flair for flavours and presentation, he has impressed the judges yet again.
“Getting to the final of such a prestigious national competition is a fantastic endorsement of the outstanding food that Nigel and his team serve to residents at Eastcote Park on a daily basis. We wish him every success in the final.”
