The Creed Foodservice Care Chef of the Year 2024
This October, the Creed Foodservice Care Chef of the Year Competition returned, celebrating the remarkable talents of care sector chefs across the UK. Now in its second year, the event saw an impressive number of entries, with chefs showcasing exceptional skills and creativity.
A Competition Focused on Skill and Sustainability
Participants were tasked with creating a dish inspired by global cuisines, reflecting their unique style while meeting the practical needs of care settings. Dishes had to be adaptable to IDDSI Level 4 and consider sustainability, with creative solutions for minimising food waste.
Five finalists were selected to compete at the prestigious finale held at Rugby College, Warwickshire. Their challenge was to recreate their signature dish, alongside a texture-modified version suitable for IDDSI Level 4, entirely from scratch within 90 minutes.
Judging Panel and Winner Announcement
Finalists’ dishes were evaluated by an expert panel:
- Rob Owen (Executive Business Development Chef, Creed Foodservice)
- Preston Walker (Co-Founder, Oak House Kitchen)
- James Ball (Co-Founder, Oak House Kitchen)
- Gary Brailsford (Director, Dining With Dignity)
The title of 2024 Care Chef of the Year was awarded to Andrew Taylor from Adept Care. His winning dish, Tuscan Chicken with Roasted Roots and Pomme Mousseline, highlighted his culinary expertise and passion for the care catering industry.
Meet the Winner: Andrew Taylor, Care Chef of the Year 2024
Q1: Tell us about your professional background and experience.
"I’ve had a wonderfully varied career, starting with mastering dishes, ingredients, and techniques. After climbing the culinary ladder, I discovered my flair for competition cooking—it’s the perfect mix of creativity, pressure, and the pursuit of perfection. It keeps me inspired!"
Q2: Why did you choose a career in care catering?
"I was ready to leave the hectic pace of high-end restaurants and wanted to use my skills more meaningfully. Visiting my gran’s care home sparked an idea—when I heard about a chef’s role, I thought, “Why not?” It was a chance to bring gourmet magic to a setting that truly needed it."
Q3: What do you enjoy about working in care?
"It’s the people—residents and colleagues alike. The hours are a bonus too! But the highlight? Creating comforting meals with a twist and seeing how much joy they bring. Who knew mashed potatoes could brighten someone’s day?"
Q4: Tell us about your final dish and why you chose it.
"I chose Tuscan Chicken—a simple, rustic dish that proves you don’t need 50 ingredients to create something amazing. It’s easily adaptable for IDDSI Level 4, so everyone can enjoy it. Plus, it offers a little taste of Italy—who could resist that?"
Judges' Feedback
Rob Owen praised the chefs, saying:
"Once again, the judges were blown away by the creativity, professionalism, and high standards on display. The Care Chef of the Year Competition is fast becoming one of Creed's standout events of the year."
Congratulations to all who took part, and thank you for making this competition such a success. We look forward to seeing you next year!
Keep your eyes peeled for the entry opening for the 2025 competition in the new year...!
