Park View Care Centre is celebrating national recognition after Head Chef Julie Clark was nominated for the prestigious NACC Care Chef Award 2026.
The nomination places Julie among the leading chefs in the UK care sector and highlights her commitment to delivering high-quality, nutritious and enjoyable meals for residents every day.
The recognition follows another significant achievement last year, when Julie was named a finalist in the Care Chef category at the Great British Care Awards. Judges praised her creativity, culinary expertise and dedication to person-centred catering.
Julie leads the catering team at Park View Care Centre, preparing fresh meals for 86 residents while carefully adapting menus to suit individual tastes, preferences and dietary needs. Working closely with care teams across the home, she ensures that every resident enjoys a dining experience that is both enjoyable and dignified.
Her approach focuses on creating meals that bring comfort, familiarity and enjoyment to residents’ daily routines. Julie champions fresh, home-cooked food, seasonal menus and dishes that are both nutritious and visually appealing. Residents are also encouraged to share ideas and feedback through the home’s Resident Menu Council, helping shape the menus and ensuring personal preferences are always considered.
This focus on quality and engagement has helped make mealtimes an important part of life at the home, bringing residents together and creating moments of connection throughout the day.
Julie’s journey in the culinary world began at Broadstairs College, where she achieved her City & Guilds qualifications before starting her career in London’s vibrant hospitality scene as a Commis Chef at the Palm Beach Casino. She later worked as a Pastry Chef alongside renowned chef Richard Corrigan and went on to run The Kings Head pub in Shadoxhurst
for 18 years.
After briefly considering semi-retirement, Julie joined Park View Care Centre three years ago and quickly became known for her impressive menus, beautifully crafted cakes and show-stopping buffets that residents and families look forward to.
The NACC Care Chef Award is widely regarded as one of the most respected accolades in care catering, celebrating chefs who are raising standards and championing excellence in food across the social care sector.
Darren Humby, General Manager at Park View Care Centre, said: “Julie’s nomination is incredibly well deserved and a true reflection of the passion, creativity and care she brings to her role every single day. She goes above and beyond to ensure that every resident enjoys not just a meal, but a meaningful dining experience tailored to them. We are all immensely proud of Julie and delighted to see her talent recognised on a national stage.”
Julie’s nomination reflects the skill, professionalism and passion she brings to the role, as well as the positive dining culture she has helped create at Park View Care Centre. Staff and residents alike are proud to see her talents recognised on a national stage.
