Eric Morecambe House care home chef makes Chef of the Year national final

A Morecambe care home chef has got through to the finals of our Chef of the Year competition.

Chefs from across our care homes took part in the competition by submitting a three-course menu - starter, main course, and dessert. James Conroy, a Chef Manager at Anchor’s Eric Morecambe House care home on Harrow Grove, entered with Aranchini with rocket and onion chilli jam, Confit chicken served with butter bean mash, minted pea puree and seasonal vegetables, and Lemmon Posset tart with summer berries.

The judges looked at the nutritional value of the meals and how residents had been involved in choosing the menu. 

James 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 The School of Artisan Food on Thursday 3 July when they prepare their menus for the judges.

Stephanie Webster, Home Manager at Eric Morecambe House care home, said:

We’re all so happy for James, it’s honestly the least he deserves. His recipes are truly delightful and a big hit with our residents too. Everyone here at Eric Morecambe House care home loves his cooking and I bet the judges did too!

James 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 team and residents at Eric Morecambe House care home.

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!

Alongside the Chef of the Year competition, we are holding a Catering Challenge which is new for 2025. The challenge will be held at The School of Artisan Food and will see eight Anchor Catering Assistants and Apprentices go head-to-head. 

Those involved will work with a Development Chef to produce a two-course meal and a snack with ingredients sourced at the location, which they’ll then have 90 minutes to cook and serve. 

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 Eric Morecambe House, please click here.