A CARE home chef in Bromsgrove is celebrating after winning big at a prestigious national awards ceremony.
Adrien Henard, second chef at Care UK’s Chandler Court, on Recreation Road, was crowned chef of the year at the Residential Care Services (RCS) Stars Awards.
The awards recognise individual and team excellence at more than 160 care homes nationwide across Care UK’s RCS division.
The ‘Chef of the Year’ award celebrates individuals who consistently demonstrate an extensive knowledge of every resident’s food preference, and a commitment to ensuring meals are tasty, well-presented and of a high quality and nutritional value.
Judges praised Adrien after he created a competing dish of crispy seabass with cauliflower rice, balti sauce, green yoghurt and mint roti, followed by a dessert of raspberry sorbet sweet.
His dishes included an IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) alternative for each course.
Adrien, who has worked at Chandler Court for nearly three years, said: “My favourite cuisine is Japanese – I love cooking sushi and seafood for residents, or inventing new recipes.
“To make the best sushi, my top tip is to use the freshest fish possible, as well as good quality rice. Residents always look forward to trying my new creations.”
Adrien, who was inspired to become a chef by his love of food, trained in a college at Lycee ho telier du Torquet, France, and went on to work in French restaurants including La Grenouillere. He then moved back to the UK, where he continued developing his culinary skills at different hotels and care homes, before moving to Chandler Court.
Commenting on his win, Adrien added: “This achievement is thanks to a lot of hard work.
“I received a lot of support from my head chef, Alex, who won two years ago and encouraged me to take part. He coached me and gave a lot of positive advice – which obviously worked.”
The home’s manager, Lily Dahms said she was thrilled to see Adrien win the award.
She added: “It’s a true testament to his skills and culinary knowledge.
“We are so proud of Adrien and the expert kitchen team at Chandler Court – they make such a positive difference to residents and cook some of the most delicious and nutritional food.
“They work hard every day, and Adrien certainly deserves to be recognised on a national scale.”
