Anchor Chef of the Year 2026 announced

James Conroy, Chef Manager at Eric Morecambe House care home, was crowned the winner of our Chef of the Year 2026 competition after impressing judges with a three-course menu inspired by the food and flavours he knows residents enjoy.

The annual competition, now in its 10th year, is open to chefs from across Anchor’s care homes and celebrates the skill, creativity and care that goes into providing enjoyable, nutritious meals for residents. This year, there were 7 finalists in the national final.

A menu created with residents in mind

As part of the competition, chefs were asked to create a three-course menu featuring a starter, main course and dessert.

The judges assessed each menu against a range of criteria, including nutritional value, sustainability, complexity, taste and presentation. They also considered how residents had been involved in choosing the dishes and how the menus reflected Anchor’s Year of Culture.

The finalists then brought their menus to life at The Artisans Kitchen & Cookery School, where they took part in a live cook-off.

For his winning menu, James prepared a black pudding Scotch egg to start, followed by elevated fish and chips, with sticky toffee pudding and crème anglaise for dessert.

James said:

I’m absolutely thrilled to win. I first entered the competition three years ago, and after coming back each year because I enjoy it so much, it feels incredible to finally be crowned Chef of the Year 2026. I suppose the fourth time really was the charm.

Danielle Abernethy, Director of Care Quality at Anchor, said:

Many congratulations to James on this fantastic achievement, which truly demonstrated his remarkable skill, commitment and determination.

The standard of this year’s competition was exceptional, and every finalist displayed passion, creativity and professionalism, making the judges’ decision incredibly difficult.

Chef of the Year is always a highlight in the Anchor calendar. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the talent, commitment and care our chefs bring to creating enjoyable dining experiences for residents every day.

We are extremely proud of our chefs and the positive impact they have on residents’ daily lives through their hard work, creativity and focus on quality.

Anchor would also like to thank its suppliers, Efoods and Bidfood, for their continued support of the competition.

Supporting the next generation of chefs

Alongside Chef of the Year, Anchor also held its annual Catering Challenge at The Artisans Kitchen & Cookery School.

The challenge gives Catering Assistants and Apprentices the chance to develop their skills and gain experience as they work towards a career in catering.

Participants worked with a Development Chef to prepare a two-course meal and a snack using ingredients sourced at the location. They then had 60 minutes to cook and serve their dishes.

The winner was Shannon Sprules-Hayden, representing Ferendune Court care home in Faringdon, Oxfordshire.

The importance of good food

Mealtimes are an important part of everyday life in Anchor’s care homes. Good quality, home-cooked food can play an important role in residents’ experience, from enjoying familiar favourites to trying something new.

Anchor’s chefs play an important part in creating these experiences, preparing meals that are tasty, nutritious and suited to the people they serve.

Interested in a career with Anchor? Find out more about working with us and view our current vacancies on our Careers at Anchor page.