Burntwood chef reaches national finals of culinary competition
A talented local care home chef has beaten competition across the south region to become a finalist at a new ‘Star Chef of the Year’ Awards.
Jake Walker-Macey, the Head Chef at Hammerwich Hall Care Home on Burntwood Road, was crowned the winner in his regional final after beating fierce competition for a finals place.
A bus full of well-wishers from the home – including residents Sally Hall, Ann Dale, Esther Davies, Janet Poyner and Home Manager Kerrie Carpenter – accompanied Jake to Xcelerate with Edgbaston, Birmingham for the round.
Back at the Advinia Healthcare home, residents and colleagues gathered around to watch the heat play out on YouTube, cheering loudly when Jake was announced as the winner.
Jake said: “It was an absolute thrill to participate and to win a place in the national finals. I’m really excited.
“It meant an awful lot to me to have people cheering me on in person and back at the home.
“Now I’ve got my eyes on the top prize, and I’m really hoping to bring another win home to Hammerwich.”
The ‘Star Chef of the Year’ awards have a unique twist as 60% of the judging panel are care home residents.
Mark Dale, Head of Hospitality at Advinia Healthcare, wanted to put the most important diners at the heart of the competition, and they have been tough scorers.
However, Jake’s dishes were highly praised by the resident and technical judges, including his Chicken and Leek pie with buttery mash.
He and runner-up Pitor Mrugala from Bishop’s Cleeve Care Home will now compete at the National Finals in Manchester in April.
Home Manager Kerrie said: “We are all so proud of Jake and we can’t wait to cheer him on at the finals.
“The competition is incredibly fierce, but everyone at Hammerwich Hall knows what an amazing chef Jake is, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the national judges agree.”
