Ben Smith, Area Chef, at HC-One’s
Willow Court care home in Cherry Willingham, near Lincoln, a 54-bed residential and residential dementia care home, has been shortlisted for The Care Home Cook/Chef Award Category at the Great British Care Awards 2022 for the East Midlands region.
The nomination for the award is in recognition of his hard work and kind care shown to Residents, Relatives and Colleagues as well as the dedication and passion Ben shows every day to ensure the people he supports receive the best quality care.
Ben’s pride and passion for food, and the standards he sets for himself and his team, are clear for anyone who spends time with him. He loves experimenting with fresh, vibrant ingredients to excite his Residents, whilst working carefully to a budget and within the necessary dietary requirements of his Residents.
Development Chef, Chris Bonner, who nominated Ben for the award, said:
“With a background working in restaurants, Ben’s flair and creativity has reimagined the food at Willow Court and has set a new standard for care home food presentation.
Ben gained his skills and experience in restaurants and has brought all of that flair and creativity to his role at Willow Court. He produces consistently beautiful, nutritious food for his residents that is always delivered with flawless presentation.”
The Great British Care Awards consist of 21 awards, which cover a wide range of areas of the social care sector. The awards are a series of regional events throughout the UK and are a celebration of distinction across the care sector. The awards pay tribute to those who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their area of work. The award ceremony of the Great British Care Awards 2022, Regional Awards for the East Midlands region takes place at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham on Thursday 3rd November 2022 when the winners will be announced. Successful winners at the East Midlands regional awards will progress to the national finals of the Great British Care Awards 2023 taking place on Friday 17th March 2023 at the ICC in Birmingham.
In total six HC-One Colleagues have been shortlisted for the Great British Care Awards in the East Midlands.
The news comes as Ben has also been shortlisted as a finalist in the Innovation in Care Award Category at The Leaders in Care Awards 2022.
Commenting on his nomination, Ben Smith said:
“I am honoured to be shortlisted for The Care Home Cook/Chef Award Category and very much look forward to the event. It is such a great sense of achievement to just be nominated!”