Vegetarian for Life is proud to be celebrating the care industry’s trailblazers in an awards ceremony at the Houses of Parliament later this year.
Talent from across the sector who go the extra mile to ensure older vegetarians and vegans are catered for, and their lifestyle needs are met, will be acknowledged. Their dedication and determination to providing the best possible care for those residents is being recognised at the ceremony.
Shortlisted candidates for each of the four awards are detailed below. The winners will be announced on 17 October, at the event hosted by comedian Matt Adlington.
Here are the finalists for each of the awards.
Veggie Care Chef of the Year
Jacek has been praised for his creative flair in vegetarian cooking by Hannah Mulholland, a head of activities co-ordinators for Barchester. He has created more than 20 dishes for vegan or vegetarian residents to choose on a daily basis.
Ben is known at the care as a ‘Five star chef’ while catering for his 50 residents and 20 staff. Ben compiled his own menus, researching each resident and taking their choices into account. He received praise from the entire home, professionals, CQC and social services, for his outstanding contribution to the home.
Jyoti has been nominated for the vegetarian Gujarati food that is pioneered and prepared at the home. Jyoti is said to ‘live and breathe’ vegetarian cooking and prides herself on creating new, exciting and nutritious dishes.
Veggie Wholesaler of the Year
Bidfood is one of the largest food wholesalers in the UK. 2018 has seen them launch a completely vegan food catalogue alongside a vegan cookbook sharing more than 30 easy-to-follow recipes.
Birchall Foodservice supplies food predominantly to care homes with a strong ethos focused on family values. Birchall understands the important of catering to individual needs. The recent launch of their Free From catalogue includes vegetarian, dairy free and vegan options ranging from cooking sauces to sweet treats.
Special Recognition
Stuart Davies, manager at Plas Bryn Rhosyn, has spent more than two decades working and trying to improve to food offered in care homes across the country. He was the 1,000th member to sign up to become a member of the VfL UK List.
HC-One has worked to devise 25 specially prepared vegetarian meals, and a further 19 Indian vegetarian recipes, across its care homes.
Primrose Mist has been nominated by staff at her carehome Highland House in Kent for championing menu changes making more vegetarian and vegan options available for fellow residents and many of her suggestions has become firm favourites even with non-vegetarians at the care home.
The winner in the category Most Innovative Veggie Dish will be announced on the day.
Amanda Woodvine, CEO for Vegetarian for Life, said: “The response to the awards has been outstanding. It goes to show there are incredible people out there in the care industry going above and beyond.
“We are really excited to have all of these trailblazers together in one room to acknowledge the work they do, day in, day out. We wanted to show our appreciation because we know it’s not always easy.
“But we at Vegetarian for Life appreciate the effort you make. So let’s go and celebrate everyone’s achievements over the past year. Well done, everybody.”
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