Matthew Thornton, Development Chef, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

In 2024, Matthew Thornton, Development Chef at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, won Vegan/Vegetarian Care/Hospital Caterer of the Year at Vegetarian for Life’s Awards for Excellence in Vegetarian Care Catering, recognising his innovation and dedication in hospital catering. 

At the time, the hospital’s vegan menu was limited to just five options. Matt expanded this to more than twelve plant-based dishes, carefully designed to meet the demands of large-scale, cost-controlled hospital catering while maintaining quality and flavour. Each meal was suitable for the Trust’s cook-freeze system – and the response was immediate. The first production run sold out within weeks, and high uptake has continued ever since.

Patients have praised the new menu for its variety, taste, and creativity, recognising the important role food plays in recovery and wellbeing. Matt’s work highlights how innovation and care can go hand in hand, setting a new standard for hospital catering that is both sustainable and satisfying.

The team’s achievements were also featured on the BBC programme 39 Ways to Save the Planet, showcasing Nottingham University Hospitals as a leader in developing forward-thinking vegan and vegetarian options within the NHS.