Bramshott Grange Chef bids for care home chef of the year title!
Date of news/blog: 26th June 2023THE heat is on for Dormy Care Communities Chef Frank Fatura who has made it through to the regional finals of the Care Home Chef of the Year.
The competition challenges chefs to not only come up with a two-course meal that tastes and looks delicious but one that is also nutritionally well balanced and costs less that £3.50.
Frank, 37, is Head Chef at our Bramshott Grange Care Home in Liphook, Hampshire, and will be creating his speciality dish of chicken chorizo and seafood paella followed by sticky toffee pudding in the South-West region final at Exeter University on Tuesday 27th June 27. The national finals will be held in October.
“I’ve gone with a recipe which is popular with residents and hopefully it will be with the judges as well,” said Frank.
“I’m delighted to be in the final, I’m too busy to be nervous at the moment, though I probably will be on the day.”
Originally from Slovakia, Frank arrived in Britain 16 years ago. He gained national vocational qualifications in catering and has been a chef at Bramshott Grange for the past four years and cites his inspirations as his mum and Gordon Ramsay.
“My mum was the best cook and I’m still inspired by the food I grew up with,” said Frank.
“Gordon is second. I like his style, honest and straight to the point. I’ve trained three chefs during my time at Bramshott, and honesty is the best way – though I’m not as rude as Gordon!”
Frank cooks for up to 80 residents and staff every day and aims to make mealtimes something everyone looks forward to.
“I do believe that people eat with their eyes, so presentation is very important,” said Frank. “I’m always looking for ways to improve and one of the benefits of working in a care home is the fact you get to know the residents and can get feedback from them.”
James Thomas, Executive Chef at Dormy Care Communities, said: “Frank is a fantastic Chef who is very popular with staff and the ladies and gentlemen who live at Bramshott Grange, so we are all rooting for him in the regional final. He’s already a winner in our eyes!”
