Announcing our 2025 Chef of the Year

Congratulations to Shaun West, a Chef Manager at Kingfisher Court care home who won our Chef of the Year competition following one final showdown at The School of Artisan Food on Thursday 3 July. Shaun went up against chefs from across our care homes. 

Entrants in prestigious Chef of the Year competition submitted a three-course recipe - starter, main course, and dessert. The judges looked at the nutritional value of the meals, the presentation, the taste, sustainability including how much food waste was produced, and how residents had been involved in choosing the menu.   

The four finalists then came together to produce their recipes in a cook off at The School of Artisan Food. Among the judges on Thursday was the 2024 Chef of the Year winner Lewis Cutler, representing West Hall care home in Surrey. 

In the end though, there could only be one winner. Shaun was crowned at the official ceremony later that day. For his menu, Shaun served: Pan fried mushrooms-madeira garlic cream on homemade toasted bread, Pan fried chicken breast - red wine bacon & mushroom sauce - garlic & thyme roasted baby potatoes - sauteed green beans - roasted carrots, and White chocolate & raspberry cheesecake – raspberry coulis – white choc & raspberry shard – burnt white choc crumb.  

Anchor’s Director of Care Quality Cath Holmes, who was one of the judges at the final, said:

Congratulations to Shaun, this year’s competition was of the highest standard, and all four finalists excelled, and they should be rightly very proud. Chef of the Year for me is one of the most important moments in the year that showcases not only the quality of our chefs and their passion for preparing wonderful meals for our residents to enjoy, but also the absolute talent we have across Anchor as a whole.

Shaun was delighted to win, saying:

Winning the Chef of the Year competition means a lot to me. Lots of hard work and thought went into my menu, and it’s been both a high pressure and enjoyable experience being involved in the competition. I’m very proud of challenging myself and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone.

Alongside the Chef of the Year competition, Anchor held a Catering Challenge which was new for 2025. The challenge also took place at The School of Artisan Food and saw eight Anchor Catering Assistants and Apprentices go head-to-head. 

Those involved worked with a Development Chef to produce a two-course meal and a snack with ingredients sourced at the location, which they then had 90 minutes to cook and serve. The winner was Catering Apprentice Logan Shamim Ahmed, representing Madeleine House care home in Birmingham. 

Mealtimes are an important part of daily life in our care homes. Good quality home cooked food is central to ensuring residents have a positive experience. We are always on the lookout for chefs who want to make tasty and nutritious food for residents at our care homes. To learn more about working for Anchor and to view current vacancies visit here. 

For more information on Kingfisher Court, please click here.