Sweet dreams are made of these - Lauder Lodge chef cooks up a storm in national competition

Home news

Jul 24, 2019

Lauder Lodge is celebrating after a team member received a national award for their dessert-making skills.

Graham Watson, head chef at Lauder Lodge competed against the culinary talents of chefs from around the country and took home the certificate for ‘Highly Commended Dessert’.

The national cook-off, hosted by the National Association of Care Catering (NACC), was a true culinary skills showdown between the best care home chefs in the country, with contestants challenged to prepare a nutritional two-course meal that would appeal to residents. 

Graham prepared a five-star menu, including a sous vide of duck breast with vodka and cherry sauce, served with sweet potato mash, green pea powder and pan fried baby carrots as a main, and an Oreo crumb chocolate tart with salted caramel cream, raspberries and sugar bubble garnish – which was highly commended by the judges. 

Commenting on his win, Graham said, “I love working in care homes; it presents a unique set of challenges to a chef. There is nothing more personal than food – it allows people to express their preferences, their past and their individuality and it is our job to cater to all of that.

“The dessert I prepared is a residents’ favourite, and I am delighted the panel enjoyed it too and awarded me the certificate for Highly Commended Dessert.”

Nicole Anderson, home manager at Lauder Lodge, added: “Every year, the NACC Care Chef of the Year competition features the best chefs from around the country, and is a brilliant opportunity for chefs at Care UK to showcase their skills and expertise. 

“Everyone here at the home is thrilled that Graham’s talent for creating meals that both look and taste delicious has been recognised – well done Graham!”