Cooking up a storm – Edinburgh chef up for national award

An Edinburgh care home chef has been shortlisted for a coveted national award. 

Graham Watson, Head Chef at Care UK’s Lauder Lodge, on Wakefield Avenue, will be competing with some of the nation’s best cooks to be crowned ‘Chef of the Year’ at the National Association of Care Catering Awards.

The National Association of Care Catering Awards rewards individuals, teams, companies and organisations who go above and beyond to deliver high-quality, nutritious food in a care setting. 

Wanting to become a chef from a young age, Graham began his career at The New Club, where he learnt skills in creating classic food and fine dining. He worked his way up the ladder and later opened his own restaurant, before taking on a new venture as the executive chef at Edinburgh Zoo. He also spent time overseas in Lisbon, before returning to run The Edinburgh Café. 

Wanting to bring his years of experience and expertise in cooking into the care industry, Graham joined Lauder Lodge in 2017 to help build a kitchen team that operated in the same structure, and to the same standard, of a fine dining restaurant. 

Anees Riaz, Home Manager at Lauder Lodge, said: “Graham is passionate about food – and this shines through every dish he makes for residents at Lauder Lodge. 

“He always takes the time to speak with every resident to find out more about their preferences and makes sure their favourite dish regularly makes an appearance on the menu. Graham’s passion for cooking is obvious – he is always looking to improve mealtime experiences for residents and ensure they are well-fed and happy.

“From making bespoke cakes for residents’ birthdays to cooking cuisines from around the world, Graham’s extensive cooking knowledge and attention to detail, along with his creativity, ensure that residents’ needs are met with high-quality foods. Well done Graham – we’ll keep our fingers crossed for a win!”

Lauder Lodge is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its own café and hair salon, and there is plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation.

To find out more about Lauder Lodge, please contact Customer Relations Manager, Richard Annan, on 0131 516 4006, or email richard.annan@careuk.com.

For more information about Lauder Lodge, visit careuk.com/lauder-lodge.