NACC Awards 2022: Full list of winners revealed

The National Association of Care Catering (NACC) has celebrated exceptional achievements and teams in the sector through its NACC Awards 2022.

NACC members and industry colleagues, partners and guests gathered at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham for the gala awards dinner, which is part of the NACC Training and Development Forum, to honour the finalists and winners, as well as the whole care catering sector.

Across six categories – including the new Bev Puxley Award, introduced in memory of Bev Puxley, a longstanding friend, supporter and champion of the NACC who sadly passed earlier this year – the audience showed their appreciation for the finalists and the winners.

Sue Cawthray, national chair of the NACC, says: “My heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of the NACC Awards 2022. We enjoyed an incredible evening celebrating our wonderful sector and our inspirational winners who embody the passion, dedication, innovation and care that our sector has in abundance. Despite the continued challenging circumstances that we find ourselves operating in, care catering professionals have demonstrated that they can adapt with energy and flair to find solutions. They are driven by making a real difference to the lives of many through delicious, nutritious food and meaningful mealtime experiences. All our winners and finalists should be very proud of their contribution to society and their achievements, as should our whole sector. I, for one, am very proud to be part of it.”

Ahead of the awards being announced, the NACC crowned its Care Chef of the Year 2022 winner.

The 2022 NACC Award winners are:

• Care Establishment of the Year Award: Chandler Court, Care UK

Chandler Court stood out to the judges for its person-centered approach that engages residents daily by adjusting menus, caters for residents’ nightly needs, sees staff eating with residents on the dementia floor, and involves residents in making afternoon tea boxes.

• Meals on Wheels Award: Monmouthshire Meals

The judges praised Monmouthshire’s service for genuinely being more than a meal, its innovation through meals and services supplied together, and its engagement with service users. The team goes the extra mile making time for each service user.

• Catering Team of the Year Award: The HC One Catering and Housekeeping Support Services

The team at HC One impressed the judges with the user-centric design of its food offering that demonstrates modern creativity through its digital system and training. Starting with strong consumer engagement, the team connects with residents to design food that meets not only the nutritional requirements but also the pleasure and experience factor that is so important in care.

• Catering Manager of the Year Award: Vicky Meakin, kitchen manager, Aspen Court, and Chris Burdett, group food and beverage manner, Signature Senior Lifestyle

The judges decided on joint winners to recognise the achievements of an individual catering manager and a group manager. Meakin supports growth around her and is always ready to develop the skills of her team. She acts as a mentor and coaches with compassion and understanding of the challenges the chefs are facing, inspiring her colleagues to achieve the standard she upholds.

Burdett has worked extensively to design the Signature Dining experience and to drive quality improvement. He regularly dons his chef whites to work alongside kitchen colleagues and actively demonstrate the high standards the organisation prides itself on delivering. You can read our feature with Burdett from our autumn issue here.

• Our Care Catering Hero Award: Valerie Kelly, chef manager, Houndswood House

The judges agreed that Kelly's attention to detail makes her unique. The residents have total confidence in her and her relationship with them is amazing. She not only delivers high quality meals but also the best cakes this side of the world. She dedicates her knowledge and compassion to residents, family and staff.

• The Bev Puxley Award: Christopher Rees, head chef, Shipston Lodge Nursing Home

It was clear to the judges that nothing is too much trouble for Rees and his team. The residents enjoy choice in all aspects of their food and nutrition and the kitchen team is always happy to serve ‘off menu’ options. Nobody is excluded from the food experiences. Whether a puréed diet, gluten free, lactose free or diabetic specific, the food maintains its colour, taste and appearance. Rees continually develops his team and communication, engaging and initiating an interactive atmosphere.

• NACC Region of the Year Award: North Region

The North region scooped this coveted award for its successful regional seminars and high engagement with members. The team has also been recognised for its excellent, consistent support of national activities.

• Pam Rhodes Award: Pauline Batty, corporate catering manager, Monmouthshire County Council

Batty has been involved with the NACC since 1990 and has given her time and expertise as chair of the Welsh region on three occasions. Her commitment to the NACC is legendary and her service to the care sector and particularly the Meals on Wheels service epitomises the Pam Rhodes Award, making her a most worthy recipient.

• National Chair’s Award: Roger Bayliss, national treasurer, The National Association of Care Catering

Bayliss became a member of the Bristol region of the NACC (then ABSCC) in 1990. He was working for Wolverhampton Council in social services response from welfare catering to changing legislation. He grew the provision expanding the Meals on Wheels service to encompass a seven-day year-round facility. He very quickly became a key member of the NACC and went on to serve on the committee of the Midlands and Wales regions and was an important member of the team that delivered the National Conference in 1995.

When he retired in 2010, Roger retained his interest and commitment to the association and continued to serve as National Treasurer. Roger plans to step away from this role at the end of 2022 and his outstanding contribution to the NACC is recognised, along with the enormous gratitude of the association, with the National Chair’s Award.

For more information about the NACC and the NACC Awards 2022 visit www.thenacc.co.uk   

Head back to our website next week, or pick up a copy of our winter issue, to see our full coverage of the NACC's Training and Development Forum.

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