Buckingham Lodge chef reaches Chef of the Year final

Paul Thomas, a Chef Manager at Buckingham Lodge care home in Aylesbury reached the final after his menu was voted one of the top four in the competition.

Paul entered with a starter of butternut squash panna cotta with whipped goat's cheese and chives, dressed lamb’s lettuce with basil oil. For his main course Paul made a pan seared cod loin, crushed baby potatoes and spinach with charred asparagus, chorizo and caper butter. Finishing off with a dessert comprising dark chocolate ganache, clotted cream, seasonal pickled fruit and chocolate soil. 

Paul now joins the three other finalists to see who will be crowned this year’s Anchor Chef of the Year. The finalists will face the heat in the kitchens of Leeds Catering College on Thursday 6 July when they prepare their menus for the judges. 

Simon Meredith, Manager at Buckingham Lodge care home, said:

We’re all so happy for Paul, it’s honestly the least he deserves. His recipes are truly delightful and a big hit with our residents too. Everyone here at Anchor’s Buckingham Lodge care home loves Pan Seared Cod Loin and I bet the judges did too!

Paul is delighted to be in the final, saying:

I still can’t quite believe I’ve made it! I’m deeply honoured by what the judges thought about my dishes and I’m hoping I can really do them justice in the final. I got my inspiration for the recipes from the residents at Buckingham Lodge care home who helped me shape the menu, collate the home-grown ingredients and help with the taste testing.

At the end of the day, it’s our residents who I’m making this all for, so it makes sense they decided what I should cook. Some of them even helped with making the dishes, so maybe they’re the ones who should be getting the credit!

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. To find out more about our Chef of the Year competition, click here.

For more information on Buckingham Lodge, click here.