NACC Care Chef of the Year 2025 finalists announced

The finalists for the National Association of Care Catering (NACC) Care Chef of the Year 2025 have been announced.

Each finalist was chosen following a series of 90-minute regional heats across England, Scotland and Wales.

The competition, now in its 25th year, saw each chef battle it out to create a two-course menu (main and dessert) appropriate for people in a care setting.

The cost for both courses had to be no more than £4.50 per head and it had to be nutritionally balanced. 

The menu had to also feature at least one product from sponsor Unilever Food Solutions’ sector-relevant catering range.

Each chef had to demonstrate their full understanding of the meals they were providing for residents whilst introducing their own flair to dishes.

Head judge Steve Munkley said: “This is the fifth year I have been involved and it’s going brilliantly. The standards continue to improve year on year and we have some great cooks out there in the care sector. This competition is a brilliant example of showcasing that talent.”
 
Neel Radia, national chair of the NACC, added: “Congratulations to all those making the final of the NACC Care Chef of the Year Competition 2025! We are celebrating the Silver Jubilee of this fantastic event. The standards that we see in this competition is as high as it has ever been and the dishes served would bring delight to any diner, wherever they were eating. The finalists should be immensely proud of their efforts so far.”

The national final has been scheduled to take place on 1 October.

The NACC Care Chef of the Year 2025 finalists are

●    Lorna Parsons, Colten Care
●    Jack Wood, Colten Care
●    Anna Koziarska, Meallmore Ltd
●    Jessica Vreede, Guthrie House Care Home
●    James Adcock, Aaron Court, Abbey Healthcare
●    Matthew Burke, Care UK
●    Dawn Louise Brown, Greenholme Care Home, Avery Healthcare
●    Alex Connell, Vegetarian for Life
●    Ilona Tomaz, Porthavent Care Home
●    Clare Broadbent, Devonshire House, Harbour Healthcare
●    Steven Wright, Caring Homes
●    Caitlin Goodall, AbleCare Homes

Last year’s NACC Care Chef of the Year winner was Samuel Sewell of Wellington Vale Care Home, part of the Cinnamon Care Collection.