Park View Head Chef Celebrates National and Regional Awards Recognition
Park View Care Centre is celebrating the achievements of its Head Chef, Julie Clark, after she reached the semi-finals of the prestigious National Association of Care Catering Care NACC Care Chef Award 2026.
Julie travelled to Kingston upon Thames to take part in the national semi-finals, where she presented a carefully developed two-course menu to the judges.
Her main course featured chicken breast stuffed with chicken mousse, black beans and chives, served on braised red cabbage and beetroot with prunes and star anise, alongside fondant potato, crispy kale and chicken jus. For dessert, Julie created a Toffee Apple Crème Brûlée.
Julie spent several weeks refining the menu with help from residents and colleagues at Park View Care Centre, who were more than happy to act as taste testers and offer their feedback.
The judges praised Julie’s performance and highlighted the significance of reaching the semi-finals as a chef working for a smaller independent care provider. They also commented that the achievement placed Park View Care Centre among the top 30% of care catering services in the UK.
Julie is now waiting to find out whether she has secured a place in the national final.
Continued recognition for care catering excellence:
The achievement follows further awards success for Julie, who has also been named a finalist in the Care Nutrition Award at this year’s Kent Care Awards.
Last year, she reached the finals of the Care Chef category at the Great British Care Awards, where judges recognised her creativity, culinary expertise and commitment to person-centred catering.
Julie is also continuing to develop her skills through training at the Marco Pierre White Culinary Academy alongside other Head Chefs from across RCH Care Homes.
Creating meaningful dining experiences:
At Park View Care Centre, Julie works closely with residents to create seasonal menus and dining experiences that reflect their preferences, memories and individual nutritional needs.
Her approach combines creativity and presentation with the importance of choice, hydration and balanced nutrition, helping to make mealtimes an enjoyable and meaningful part of daily life.
Darren Humby, General Manager at Park View Care Centre, said: “We couldn’t be prouder of Julie and everything she has achieved. Reaching the semi-finals of such a prestigious national
competition is an incredible accomplishment and reflects the passion, creativity and dedication she brings to Park View every day.
“Watching Julie develop and perfect her competition menu has been inspiring, but what makes this achievement even more special is that residents experience that same attention to detail in their meals every day. “Julie doesn’t simply prepare food; she creates memorable dining experiences that support nutrition, wellbeing and quality of life. To receive such positive feedback from the judges and have Park View recognised among the top 30% in the country is a tremendous achievement for Julie and the whole team.”
Julie’s success reflects Park View Care Centre’s commitment to delivering high-quality hospitality alongside compassionate, person-centred care.
Everyone at Park View Care Centre and RCH Care Homes is wishing Julie the very best as she awaits the announcement of the NACC Care Chef of the Year finalists.
