Talented Mildenhall care home chef battles for national title in regional cook-off

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Feb 23, 2016

Alan Cash, head chef at Care UK’s Mildenhall Lodge care home has won a place in a regional cook-off as part of the prestigious Care Cook of the Year competition, organised by the National Association of Care Catering (NACC).

After carefully devising a menu featuring a goat’s cheese stuffed chicken breast and a strawberry and vanilla shortbread cheesecake, Alan was shortlisted to go head-to-head with one other care home chef from the South-East at a regional cook-off, which will take place on March 9 2016. Alan will be among chefs from six regions across the country battling for one of 12 places in the final live cook-off in June 2016.

Commenting on his success in the competition, Alan Cash said: “I am thrilled to have been selected for the regional cook-off and to have a chance at the esteemed Care Cook of the Year title. I’ll be up against some tough competition, but I’m looking forward to showcasing my cookery skills as well as picking up new inspiration for meals at Mildenhall Lodge.”

The NACC Care Cook of the Year competition is one of the longest-standing, independent recipe competitions in the UK. Open to all chefs in the care sector, the competition raises the profile of care catering, promotes best practice and highlights the range of culinary skills needed to succeed. At the regional cook-off, Alan will be tasked with preparing a two-course menu, main and dessert, which demonstrates adherence to nutrition guidelines, great taste, costing ability and suitability to the care environment.

James Clear, Care UK’s hotel services manager for the South, explained why being a chef in a care environment is different to standard catering: “A care home chef needs a range of skills and a broad knowledge to prepare meals to meet every residents’ needs. Skills such as gluten free baking, high nutrition dishes, fragrant cooking and soft foods. We invest in a variety of training for our chefs, to help them provide the best dishes to suit every resident, and we’re delighted when chefs like Alan are recognised for their skill and expertise in prestigious competitions such as this.”