Care UK celebrates triple shortlisting in Public Sector Catering Awards

Care UK teams are delighted to have been shortlisted in three different categories for the Public Sector Catering Awards. 

Care UK and Edgbaston Manor are finalists in the Care Catering Award category while Hotel Services Manager, Stuart Pelham, and the catering team at Britten Court are, respectively, finalists in the Chef of the Year Award and Team of the Year Award. 

Care UK supports its chefs and kitchen teams across 155 homes to deliver delicious, high-quality meals that allow every resident to dine with dignity regardless of any dietary requirements. From training every chef in catering for modified diets, to creating entertaining food-related events – ranging from afternoon teas to world food days – each chef is supported to be the very best they can be. Our chefs sit down with residents on admission to discover their preferences when it comes to meals, and dining. With this information in mind they will create weekly meal plans where every residents dietary requirements and wants are taken into consideration.

Edgbaston Manor’s, success in involving residents in new and creative menus impressed the judges, making the care home another finalist in the Care Catering Award category. Every dish is cooked from scratch and Head Chef Carl Cooper and his team make sure that all residents know what’s gone into a dish – meaning that most residents go out of their comfort zone to try different foods and come out with a new favourite dish. 

Hotel Services Manager Stuart Pelham’s unwavering commitment to providing the highest standards of food quality and continued innovation in the public sector catering environment, makes him a standout in the Chef of the Year category. Stuart worked as in the kitchen at Cardiff-based Llys Cyncoed for 16 years – rising to the level of Head Chef. Stuart's ability to infuse care into every aspect of his work fosters a sense of community and joy, turning the dining experience into a cornerstone of wellbeing within the care home. Earlier this year, he was promoted to the role of Hotel Service Manager, ensuring that he can support chefs across a large number of homes at Care UK.  

The catering team at Britten Court in Lowestoft have been shortlisted for Team of the Year Award due to their dedicated to modified diets. Their focus over the past year has been on improving their offering to residents with Level 4 and above IDDSI dietary needs. Head Chef Kamal Djedda and his team have worked together to develop modified dishes that taste wonderful, look tempting and give all residents – regardless of dietary restrictions – the same choice at mealtimes.  The team has perfected the art to such an extent that they are confident to go out on to the suites and pipe meals in front of residents, ensuring that every meal is delivered fresh and adding a touch of theatre to the occasion. 

The winners will be announced at the Public Sector Catering Awards ceremony on 4th April in London.