Surrey Take Top Spot at NHS Chef Finals

Alejandro Hernandez and Manuela Miccoli from the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust have been named the winners of NHS Chef 2024, following an intense week of competition at The Cookery School, The Grand Hotel in York. Competing against six other teams from across the country, the duo impressed the judges with their creative and skilful menu, which included a venison bao bun starter with blackberry BBQ sauce and celeriac and apple slaw, gnocchi with hake and granola, a lentil patty with roast potato and mushroom gravy, and a classic tiramisu.

The competition saw finalists rise to a range of challenges, showcasing their ability to create restaurant-quality dishes on an NHS budget while addressing diverse dietary needs. All of this was accomplished while maintaining the high standards required for patient care.

Judges praised the talent and dedication on display. Lisa Goodwin-Allen from Northcote called the final “a real eye-opener,” noting how both the food and presentation had advanced significantly. “Cooking in hospitals is not easy. Innovating and finding directions is even harder. I think we’re really starting to see a new future for hospital food,” she said.

Nick Vadis, Culinary Director at Compass Group UK and chef ambassador to NHS Supply Chain, echoed this sentiment: “What we’re seeing today is not a reflection of current hospital food but the food we are going to see in the future. This competition is so important for hospital teams to be involved in the wider picture of where food is going for those that visit, work, and are treated in hospitals.”

Louise Wagstaffe from Delicious by Design also praised the technical skills and creativity demonstrated throughout the competition. She highlighted the Children’s Challenge as a standout, saying, “I loved seeing the teams design dishes specifically to apTpeal to children… Their passion and creativity really shone through.” She also lauded the Wildcard Challenge, which pushed participants to scale, gut, and fillet fish—tasks unfamiliar to many, but all rose to the challenge, showing their adaptability.

Philip Shelley, Senior Operational and Policy Manager and National Lead for Net Zero Food, summed up the spirit of the event, noting how all competitors had “consistently created outstanding food,” demonstrating their knowledge, commitment, and ability to deliver high-quality, healthy meals within the constraints of an NHS kitchen.

The NHS Chef 2024 competition continues to raise the bar for hospital catering, highlighting the innovation and skill of NHS chefs as they work to transform the future of hospital food.