Success In The Chef Competition

Clare Broadbent, Head Chef at Devonshire House Care Home in Woolwell, Plymouth, has secured a place in the regional finals of the highly regarded National Care Chef of the Year competition. Organised by the National Association of Care Catering (NACC), this annual event celebrates the talent, creativity, and dedication of chefs working in the care sector.

Clare’s entry — a tantalizing two-course meal — impressed the judges and earned her a coveted spot in the regional stage of the competition. Her culinary skills and commitment to high-quality nutrition stood out among entries from across the UK. The final stage of the competition is set to take place in October 2025 in Nottingham, where chefs will compete for the national title.

The National Care Chef of the Year competition has been running for over 30 years and continues to highlight the essential role of care chefs in delivering nutritious, enjoyable, and safe meals to residents. It recognizes the importance of maintaining high culinary standards while addressing the challenges of dietary needs, budget constraints, and sustainability in care settings.

Clare’s success reflects not only her individual talent but also the collaborative spirit of her team at Devonshire House. Together, they strive to provide meals that are not only nutritious but also comforting and appealing to residents.

“We’re incredibly proud of Clare and all that she’s achieved,” said a spokesperson for Devonshire House Care Home. “Reaching the regional finals is a testament to her passion, hard work, and the high standards we uphold in our kitchen.”

Update

The South West Regional heats took place on the 11th July for the NACC Care Chef of the Year competition, and saw Clare Broadbent, Head Chef at Devonshire House competing for a place in the National Final in October. Making it through to the regional final is a deserved accolade alone BUT….we are so very proud to share with you that she has WON and has now been selected to go through to the National final with her 2 outstanding dishes that she produced, under the watchful eye of 3 judges – 2 of whom are nationally acclaimed Chefs and one who is an NHS Dietician instrumental behind the Care Home Digest.

Clare has been at Devonshire House for a year, working from strength to strength to improve catering and food safety. Her home has also achieved a food safety rating of 5 this year too. She takes so much pride and commitment in her work and it is fantastic to see this recognised by the sector. A very big well done Clare!

Her winning dish was a stuffed rabbit saddle with allotment vegetables and fondant potatoes together with a chocolate pudding with raspberries