Monica’s Masterchef dream became a reality

The head chef from our Wantage Residential and Nursing Home in Oxfordshire is bursting with pride after winning third place in our annual culinary contest.

Monica Szabo described taking part in the competition, which is open to chefs from our homes across England and Scotland, as the “best experience ever”.

She said: “It was my dream to enter the competition. I didn’t have the courage before so this year, it was a dream becoming a reality! It was such a great experience and I feel so happy as I love what I do.”

Monica, who has worked at the home for eight years, went head-to-head with her fellow contestants in a 90-minute cook-off, preparing peri peri baked chicken, with baby corn, peppers and onions, followed by a pina colada dessert.

And it’s not just her competition success that makes Monica happy. Her journey with Sanctuary Care is something she’s incredibly proud of. She joined Wantage as a kitchen assistant, before becoming deputy chef and being promoted to head chef earlier this year.

She said: “I’ve had the best support from everyone at Sanctuary Care and feel very lucky to have this job. Sanctuary Care has shown me that anything is possible.

“Wantage Nursing Home is a lovely place and the teamwork we have here is the best. I’m so happy working here – I love the residents and even though I’m from Romania, I feel this is my home.”

For more about life at Wantage, or any of our other care homes, our Enquiry Support Team are here to talk on 0800 917 0478. For more on working with Sanctuary Care please visit our recruitment pages.