Success on the menu for Perry Manor chef

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May 11, 2017

Perry Manor is celebrating after it was announced that a team member has reached the final stage of the National Association of Care Catering (NACC) Care Chef of the Year 2017 competition for the second year running.

Peter McGregor, head chef at Perry Manor has been shortlisted in the national competition alongside 11 other care chefs from across the UK.  

After making it through to the finals last year, Peter has been recognised for his nutritional understanding of the foods being used, as well as his culinary flair in flavours, execution and presentation. Prior to working at Perry Manor, Peter worked at a sous chef at a Michelin star restaurant and was shortlisted for the Rioja Sous Chef Bursary in 2001.

The NACC Care Chef of the Year competition is held annually and highlights the care catering sector and the talented, highly qualified chefs operating within it. Entrants have to create a nutritionally-balanced, two-course menu (main and dessert) that is suitable for service users in a care setting. The combined food cost for both courses must be no more that £2.25 per head based on four portions and it is to be produced in just 90 minutes.

Peter said: “I’m thrilled to have made it to the finals. The level of skill and creativity from the other chefs in the regional heats was really high, but I am confident that the dishes I’m planning for the final will be well received by the judges because they are always enjoyed by the residents of Perry Manor. I thoroughly enjoy my job and find it very rewarding, I always ensure that the standard of the food that leaves my kitchen matches the high quality of care that is provided within the home.”

Katherine Matthews, home manager at Perry Manor, said: “The NACC Care Chef of the Year competition is a brilliant opportunity for chefs working in the care sector to showcase their talent and expertise. It’s great that Peter’s cookery skills have been recognised and we are all eagerly awaiting the finals where we hope he will see further success.”

The final of the NACC Care Chef of the Year competition will take place on Wednesday 7th June with the chefs competing against each other in Barking & Dagenham College’s Technical Skills Academy in East London.