Avery Chefs Cook Up a Storm at NACC Midlands Competition
Our talented chefs across Avery are always creating tasty treats and mouth-watering, nutritious meals for our residents. So, it comes as no surprise that three of Avery’s chefs reached the Midlands regional finals of the National Association of Care Catering (NACC) Care Chef of the Year competition!
Our three finalists were Barry Bing (from Bourn View Care Home, Birmingham), Paul Birch (from Dukes Court Care Home, Wellingborough), and Martin McKee (from Hawthorns Care Home, Aldridge), and together they created some truly scrumptious dishes on the day!
Barry wowed the judges with his braised pork chop with grilled apple slice, black pudding puree, glazed chanternay carrots and spinach, finished with apricot chutney, followed by his dessert of pear caramel and ginger cheesecake trifle. It was particularly inspiring, given that it was Barry’s first-time competing in a regional final!
Paul’s thoughtful approach was brilliant on the day, serving up a tasty maple glazed chicken with smoked bacon, mustard creamed potato, caramelized onion and vegetable ribbons for his main dish. His sticky pear and raspberry crumble with white chocolate custard dessert was equally impressive. Paul has previously competed in two regionals and with his wealth of experience was also there to support his teammate Barry.
This was Martin’s third success at the regional finals, and he certainly didn’t disappoint! He prepared a tender blade of Staffordshire beef, broad bean mash, braised red cabbage and honey glazed carrot puree, with poached asparagus and Yorkshire pudding for his main dish. For his show-stopping dessert, Martin crafted a Buckinghamshire cherry and Belgian chocolate Bakewell mousse with almond joconde.
We are very proud that Martin was awarded best main course and dessert on the day, and the judges were clearly just as impressed as our Aldridge Head Chef also scooped up first prize at the regionals. Martin is now through to the national competition finals in June, where we’re sure his dishes will continue to delight!
Simon Lawrence, Group Culinary Manager for Avery, was incredibly proud of all three of our Avery finalists. He was there throughout the day of the regionals to support the three chefs that he has been tutoring and congratulated all their efforts. “All three chefs are very talented and deserved to be at the regionals. The NACC care chef of the year competition is vital for the care catering sector. As well as celebrating true talent that exists within the field, it also fulfils the important role of raising the profile of the sector and highlighting the specific culinary knowledge, skills creativity and dedication to ensure consistent excellence within care catering.”
