Trust catering colleagues compete in NHS Chef of the Year 2025 regional heats

Culinary creativity and skills were on the menu from catering managers Daniel French and Jake Fawcett, who represented the Trust in the NHS Chef of the Year 2025 regional heats. The team put their skills to the test and showcased their abilities in the prestigious annual event, organised by NHS England. The competition, now in its fifth year, celebrates excellence in NHS catering, with a strong focus on nutrition, flavour, sustainability, and patient-focused innovation.

Our duo of talented chefs showcased their creativity and expertise and created an impressive three-course meal:

• Roast carrot soup served with onion bhaji and coriander oil
• Crispy chicken lollipops served with katsu curry sauce, chickpeas and courgettes, sweet potato and garnished with spring onion and chilli flakes
• Vanilla pannacotta with plum textures and ginger crumble

The meal was produced within a £6-8 budget with specific dietary and nutritional requirements, as well as low carbon and allergen free, to deliver a creative menu reflecting the high standards of catering across our Trust.

Daniel said: “For me personally it was my first competition, and I really enjoyed the experience. It was a privilege to represent and raise the profile of the Trust . It was a great networking opportunity with some fantastic peers and professionals from other Trusts, and I would definitely recommend it to others to take part in future competitions.”

Jake added: “I am thankful for the experience, the opportunity to represent the Trust and for the tremendous support given from the people around me. Being new to the Trust, it was a brilliant experience and a good way to allow staff to showcase their abilities and passion for what they do within catering. It highlighted how far the food produced within a hospital setting has advanced and makes me proud to be a part of it.”

Well done to both Daniel and Jake for representing our Trust for the first time in this competition. A special thank you to all our catering teams for your continued passion and dedication to delivering high quality, nutritious food to all our colleagues, patients, and visitors.