The NHS Chef of the Year

Nick Vadis FIH Chef Ambassador NHS Supply Chain

It’s remarkable how the NHS Chef of the Year Competition has galvanised chef teams across NHS England. The idea was put forward as part of The Food Review and in partnership with our NHS Chef Academies we are supporting the competition with innovation and mentoring.

2023 was the fourth year of the competition and it’s safe to say it has really taken hold in kitchens throughout the NHS and is something to look forward to.

As a competition it is far more than just a showcase of chef talent. The purpose is to give NHS chefs an outlet to both challenge and motivate. The last competition was held at the gorgeous Lainston House near Winchester and was a true celebration of the growing talent in NHS kitchens, but underneath was a set of serious challenges that reflected day to day issues in hospital kitchens. Real life issues like 24/7 catering and food waste were reflected in the challenges and the chefs really rose to the occasion.