On Friday, October 18, following a gruelling week of competition at the end of a process that began with the regional heats several months ago, Alejandro Hernandez and Manuela Miccoli from the Royal Surrey Hospital (Medirest) won NHS Chef 2024.
This competition is more than just a cooking competition; it’s also about chef development. The mentoring programme is designed to impart knowledge and information during a three-day event, with topics covered being of relevance to the healthcare sector, such as dysphagia and reducing food waste. The cookery challenges that the finalists undergo add practical skills and underline these themes, for instance, producing a no-waste dish in which every ingredient incorporated is used to the full.
Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Executive Chef at the Michelin-starred Northcote restaurant, led the judging panel for the final day. Lisa told HEFMA that last year’s event was an eye-opener for her, learning about the complexities that face chefs working within healthcare. This year she says the competition “has really stepped up again,” - on presentation, flavour and demonstration of ability. “They are cooking with their hearts, using ingredients well and thinking outside of the box.”
“It’s been a goliath challenge and a privilege to see the skills on display,” said Simon Corben, Head of Profession and Director of NHS Estates and Facilities at NHS England, speaking at the final. “Please go back to your Trusts and showcase what you’ve done. Share with others so we can all collectively raise our standards.”
Winning menu
For the final challenge chef teams had to present four courses. Alejandro and Manuela’s winning menu was:
• Starter: Venison Bao Buns, Blackberry BBQ Sauce, Celeriac & Apple Slaw
• Mains 1: Gnocchi with Hake, Granola & Cherry Tomato Sauce (pictured)
• Mains 2: Lentil Patty, Roast Potato, Celeriac Fondant, Mushroom Gravy
• Dessert: Tiramisu.
Other finalists
The three other teams that made it through to the final were
• Michelle Robinson & Slavka Vaysilova (Stepping Hill Hospital)
• Karolina Morawiec & Kenneth Moth (Greater Manchester Mental Health)
• Daniel Hampton & Gopakumar K Bhaskaran (Royal Hampshire County Hospital)
Alejandro and Manuela were mentored throughout the competition by HIT Training’s Keith Turrell.
