A CHEF at a Northwich-based care home as won a competition recognising his culinary talents.

Chef Mark Williams at Lostock Lodge Care Home has recently been crowned winner of the Country Court Chef of the Year 2021 competition.

The competition was launched this year and has been a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate the fantastic work of the chefs across Country Court care homes.

The final cook-off for the six finalists was held at the Unilever Food Solutions professional development kitchen.

The dishes were sampled and judged by Country Court chairman Abdul Kachra, and joint-CEOs Alykhan Kachra and Al-Karim Kachra.

Ben Cox from The Grange care home came third with Simon Bullock, also of Lostock Lodge, in second.

The menu for the finals was the chef’s choice and they had two-and-a-half hours to produce canapes for eight people, four main dishes and four desserts.

For the canapes, Mark cooked salmon and smoked haddock fish cakes with tartar sauce.

His main course was a cannon of lamb with potatoes and celeriac rosti, with spinach, asparagus and tomato.

For dessert, he made a white chocolate panna cotta with deconstructed rhubarb crumble.

"I think it was the dessert that won it," said Mark.

"I’m most proud of that dish, so I’m delighted to have won.

"I tested the recipes out at Lostock Lodge first, the staff tried them and gave feedback, it was good to test the timings before the judging day."

"This is a well-deserved win for Mark," said home manager, Steph Molden.

"We have a great team in the kitchen.

"Both Mark and our chef manager Simon have been with us since the home opened in 2017.

"We always receive fantastic feedback from residents and families and are delighted that Mark and Simon have been recognised with first and second place in the competition."

Country Court chefs provide restaurant standard, nutritious and tasty meals for residents.

Menus are updated regularly and according to the season, local ingredients are sourced, and chefs are always happy to make dishes to order.

Hospitality teams are on hand to look after residents both during and between mealtimes.