Yarnton chef wins culinary contest

The culinary talents of a Sanctuary Care chef in Yarnton have secured her a fifth victory in the organisation’s prestigious 10th annual cookery contest.

Marcella Field, chef manager at Yarnton Residential and Nursing Home in Rutten Lane has won the prestigious title of the organisation’s Chef of the Year 2018.

The winning menu

Her winning menu, prepared for judges during a 90-minute cook-off, started with a tian of crab and avocado with a tomato salsa, followed by a main of stuffed poussin with fondant potatoes, carrot puree and seasonal vegetables. For dessert there was a fig and frangipane tart with a Chantilly cream.

Her prize following the final, which took place at sponsor Unilever Food Solutions’ kitchens in Surrey, was £250 and a Unilever hamper.

Marcella said: “I’m really pleased – I always give it 110 per cent and it’s a great competition. It is a wonderful opportunity for our chefs to showcase what they do.”

Entrants were challenged with creating a starter, main course and dessert. Their dishes were judged by Unilever’s Business Development Chef – Elderly Care, Paul Wright, who said of the chefs: “You have passion and that really comes through in your food – the scoring was extremely tight.”

A credit to Sanctuary Care

Fellow judge, Sanctuary Care’s Director of Operations Sheila O’ Connor, said: “This was a fabulous event and was an absolute pleasure to be part of. The talents of our chefs shone through and we are enormously proud of them.

“Thank you to Unilever for hosting us at this wonderful venue, we are very much looking forward to next year!”

This news is a double celebration for Sanctuary Care, which is marking its 20 year anniversary of delivering care to its residents.