Sarah wins our very own MasterChef-inspired contest!

The exceptionally talented Chef Manager at our care home in Warrington has taken home the crown after cooking up a storm in Sanctuary Care’s MasterChef competition.

Sarah Ashton, who works at High Peak Residential and Nursing Home, emerged victorious amongst 13 finalists in the annual competition, which follows a similar format to the popular BBC series.

A panel of judges, which included Unilever’s Executive Chef for UK and Ireland, Alex Hall and Sanctuary Care’s Director of Operations, Sheila O’Connor, assessed the dishes for taste, culinary flair, creativity, and presentation, during the lively cook off at the Unilever Chefmanship Centre in Surrey.

Inspired by her children’s favourite cuisine, winner Sarah prepared a delectable chicken katsu curry with coconut rice, followed by one of the Cheshire care home’s most popular desserts, a rhubarb crumble cheesecake.

Sarah said: “The competition was fierce, so I am feeling very proud to have won! I’ve always loved cooking but working in a care home kitchen is a completely different experience, which brings with it unique challenges and a whole new level of satisfaction.

“Preparing menus which cater to our residents’ wide range of preferences and dietary requirements requires a certain level of creativity, but knowing how much they look forward to mealtimes is incredibly fulfilling – particularly when they share positive feedback.”

Sarah was not only named MasterChef champion, she won a cash prize of £1,000.

Judge and Sanctuary Care’s Director of Operations, Sheila O’Connor, commented: “Sarah is an outstanding chef and deserving winner of our MasterChef competition.

“We introduced the contest 13 years ago to honour the amazing chefs who produce delicious food to enrich the lives of residents living within our care homes every day, and each year, the competition gets more exciting.

“Mealtimes play a really important role in our homes and have always been a focus for residents, which is why we are proud to invest in fantastic chefs who go above and beyond to create enjoyable dining experiences for our residents.

“It was great to see the contestants demonstrating their culinary flair during the competition. The judges were blown away by the creative menus and delicious food produced. All of the chefs should feel incredibly proud.”

Following Sarah in the MasterChef competition was runner up, Rowena Graham, Chef Manager at Camilla House Care Home in Edinburgh, with third place awarded to former champion, Ruaan Prins, Chef Manager at Heathlands Residential Care Home in Worcestershire.

The results of the competition, run in partnership with Unilever Food Solutions, were announced at Sanctuary Care’s annual Chefs’ Conference on Thursday 21 September.

For more about life with Sanctuary Care please call our Enquiry Support Team today on 0800 331 7421.