Newfield Lodge Chef Wins At Great British Care Awards
Chris Beech receives his Care Home Cook/Chef Award at the Gala Dinner in Leeds
Chris Beech, Chef at Newfield Lodge residential and dementia care home in Castleford has won the Yorkshire ‘Care Home Cook/Chef’ award at the Great British Care Awards regional finals. The purpose of the awards is to pay tribute to those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work and care workers can be nominated by colleagues, relatives and residents.
Chris, who has worked at Newfield Lodge since 16th July 2012, was shortlisted as a finalist earlier this year after being picked from numerous entries by a team of judges from the Yorkshire region. Chris and his kitchen team produce all meals for the residents at Newfield Lodge, and they are always mindful to ensure that their cuisine is nutritious and varied, as well as tasty. Chris attended a judging day last month where the judges were impressed as he discussed the importance of providing a valuable mealtime experience and how the provision of healthy food choices can enhance residents’ quality of life. One resident at Newfield Lodge, Beryl Wilford, commented, “It’s very good food I really enjoy it, he deserves to win”.
Chris went up on stage during the gala dinner at the Royal Armouries in Leeds to collect his award and was overwhelmed by his win. He said “I am speechless that I have won this award. I love going into work every day and I always make time to have a chat with our residents. I know they appreciate everything I do but it is incredible to have this recognition too – it has given me the confidence to go to the finals in London and bring the National award home!”
Over 30 Ideal Carehomes’ staff have been shortlisted as finalists for the regional Great British Care Awards this year, including four other members of the care team at Newfield Lodge. Home Manager, Paula Mountjoy, was also a finalist and couldn’t be happier for Chris and her team. She said “We are all so pleased for Chris. The residents are always saying how good his food is, especially the cakes! Everyone is a winner in my eyes but Chris really does deserve this award.”
Having won the Regional Award, Chris is now a National finalist for the overall awards in early 2017. Newfield Lodge is operated by Ideal Carehomes and has 64 en-suite bedrooms. The home is committed to offering their residents aspirational lifestyle choices and an active social environment with events, trips and daily activities on offer.
