Twenty talented head chefs have completed a year’s training at the Barchester chef academy.

The academy, which is the brainchild of hospitality development and standards manager, Mervyn Knights, helps chefs hone their skills and learn new ones, and covers, including cooking for residents living with dementia, budgeting, balancing flavours, minimising wastage and presentation skills.

Knights said: “I am absolutely delighted at how well the academy has been received by everyone who attended the course, it has been such a positive experience for all involved. We have already started work with the academy’s new class of 2024 who are really enjoying the programme so far and who I know will go on to achieve great things.”

Dr Pete Calveley, chief executive of Barchester Healthcare, added: “I am a huge fan of the academy, not least because I have had the pleasure of sampling some of the fantastic dishes produced by our talented chefs. I am impressed by the high standard of cooking and by how beautifully everything is presented. 

“I am incredibly proud of all of the chefs that took part in the academy this year, I know they produce wonderful food for our residents and patients, cooked to their individual preferences, every single day. I am also exceptionally proud of Mervyn and all that he has achieved with the academy, it is a brilliant initiative and one that I know will go from strength to strength under his leadership.”