Chef tastes success as UK’s youngest Care Cook of the Year.

Weston chef, Gareth Cartledge is savouring the sweet taste of success, winning the National Association of Care Catering’s (NACC) annual challenge to become the 2008 Care Cook of the Year.

At just 22, Gareth, who is a chef with Bristol charity, the St Monica Trust, is the youngest ever winner of the title, which was established eight years ago to enhance standards of catering within the care sector.

Gareth was one of eight finalists from across the UK challenged to create a two course meal on a budget of less than £1.25, yet still produce something nutritional and tasty. He won the competition with a dish of smoked haddock kedgeree followed by a cabinet pudding with crème anglais.

“I chose something which I know goes down well with residents at the St Monica Trust,” admitted Gareth, who at work, oversees and prepares freshly cooked meals for more than 600 elderly Trust residents every day. He impressed the judges with his own particular version, spicing up the old favourite to serve it as a turmeric and vegetable risotto, topped with poached haddock and a poached egg, with a mild curry sauce on the side.

Derek Johnson, Deputy National Chair and competition organiser, commented: “Once again our chefs proved what an amazing quality and variety of dishes can be produced on a tight budget, one which reflects the challenges faced by many care caterers every day as they work to provide nutritious and appetising meals to some of the most vulnerable people in residential and community care.

“Gareth is the youngest winner in the competition’s history, and his success shows the excellent skills that are being employed in the care sector. He’s set a benchmark that every establishment in this sector should aim for as we all work to improve nutritional care for those in our care.”

Still only 22, Gareth started work in the St Monica Trust kitchens when he was just 16, after a few weeks work experience convinced him it was his ideal job. Since then he’s completed two NVQs and a management training course and is now a St Monica Trust senior chef, with regular responsibility for running the kitchen.

Although keen to impress the judges, Gareth was just as anxious to follow in the footsteps of his boss Gary Brailsford, now St Monica Trust Catering and Production Manager who took the title in 2005. Gareth’s 2008 success puts the St Monica Trust as the only UK organisation to win the national title twice. The Trust this year was awarded Institute of Hospitality Assured Standard for its commitment to hospitality services and strong customer focus.

The St Monica Trust has been providing accommodation, care and support for older and disabled people in Bristol for more than 80 years and specialises in pioneering accommodation solutions that enable residents to enjoy and maintain their independence. Today the Trust provides high quality accommodation for more than 600 elderly residents at three sites in Bristol and in 2009 will open the first Trust facility in North Somerset. Work is underway to construct a brand new £27 million retirement village, providing care and accommodation for more than 200 elderly people on the Old Station site in Sandford.

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