NACC Care Chef of the Year 2018 competition opens for entries

The National Association of Care Catering's (NACC) is calling for chefs working in the care sector to enter its Care Chef of the Year 2018 competition.

Open to chefs from across the care sector including residential homes and community services such as meals on wheels, day centres and luncheon clubs, the NACC Care Chef of the Year 2018 aims to challenge chefs.

Entrants will be required to create a nutritionally-balanced, two-course menu (main and dessert) that is suitable for users in a care setting. The combined food cost for both courses should be no more than £2.25 per head based on three portions and it must be nutritionally balanced. The menu must also incorporate one of the Premier Foods brands listed in the competition entry brochure.

All paper entries will be judged by a panel that will be looking for innovation, costing, suitability for the environment, adherence to nutrition guidelines, taste and overall menu balance. Successful entrants will be invited to compete at the regional heats in March 2018 where they will have 90 minutes to produce their dishes.

The two highest-scoring competitors from each regional heat will secure a place in the national final on 6 June 2018 at Barking & Dagenham Technical Skills Academy where they will compete for the title NACC Care Chef of the Year 2018.

The deadline for entries is 2 February 2018.

Neel Radia, national chair of the NACC, said: "This competition is a great way of raising the profile of care catering and motivating and developing chefs. Catering for those in a care environment is challenging. The elderly and vulnerable have specific dietary needs and it's crucial to their health and wellbeing that these are correctly and safely met.

"The standard of entries grows year on year and 2018 is sure to be an impressive and inspiring competition. I urge all chefs to enter and I look forward to the excitement unfolding throughout the regional heats and, of course, the national final."

National Association of Care Catering launches CQC standards guide >>

NACC Awards 2017 finalists announced >>

NACC Awards 2017 winners revealed >>

Videos from The Caterer archives

Are you looking for a new role? See all the current hospitality vacancies available with The Caterer Jobs