Medirest’s Tommy Trinder and Dawn Roberts from Watford General Hospital (West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust) - have been named the NHS Chef of the Year winners 2026.
The announcement marked the culmination of another successful NHS Chef Competition, which celebrates the talent, innovation and dedication of chefs working across the NHS. This news follows the four-day cooking event, held at Xcelerate with Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Mentored by Rhys Richardson from Eat Curious, the winning duo impressed judges with their skill, creativity and ability to deliver exceptional dishes within the practical realities of NHS catering.
Entrants were required to produce a three-course meal within a budget of between £6-8. One course had to be completely allergen free and the starter had to be plant-based. Chefs were unable to use any form of nut throughout the competition. Their winning dishes included a dessert of turmeric-poached pear, ginger and baked yoghurt warm ginger cake, cinnamon crumb, pear reduction and pear crisp.
Throughout this week’s final of the competition, eight finalist teams demonstrated how high-quality, nutritious food can be delivered within standard hospital budgets, service times and operational constraints. Their creations showcased the vital role healthcare catering plays in supporting patients, visitors and NHS staff every day.
This follows pervious Medirest success in the competition, when in 2024 Chefs Manuela Miccoli and Alejandro Bedoya Hernandez won the title.
Dawn Roberts, Head Chef, Watford General Hospital: “It’s been a fantastic experience. We went into it hoping to learn, get involved and do well, and we’ve really enjoyed the journey. Meeting mentors and people from different hospitals and sharing experiences has made it so worthwhile. Our winning dessert was something different and I am so proud of it, and it was lovely to see it come together so well. Putting our heart into it made it feel really special, and the whole journey has been a great learning experience.”
Tommy Trinder, Chef, Watford General Hospital commented: "What does it mean to me, winning NHS Chef of The Year? It makes me feel proud of what we can achieve as a team when we are under pressure. The most enjoyable part of the whole competition was the final challenge – cooking all three courses."
Stuart Finn, Director of Environment for West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We are incredibly proud of our chef’s Tommy and Dawn for this outstanding achievement. Winning NHS Chef of the Year is a fantastic accomplishment and a testament to their talent, creativity and dedication. Every day they play an important role in creating dishes for our staff and visitors to enjoy, and this national recognition highlights the exceptional standards and passion they bring to their work. Congratulations to them both on their success."
Neil Mitchell, Business Director, Medirest: "I am absolutely delighted for Tommy and Dawn on being crowned NHS Chef winners. Throughout the competition they demonstrated exceptional teamwork, creativity and skill, showcasing the very best of healthcare catering. I am incredibly proud of what they have accomplished and thrilled to see them receive this well-deserved recognition.
This is the second time Medirest has won the title, plus we are the only foodservice organisation to have ever won – so we are delighted to showcase our talented people in the competition.”
Phil Shelley, Senior Operational Manager and National Lead for Food, NHS England said: “Good nutrition and hydration are essential components of healthcare, supporting recovery, improving patient outcomes and enhancing the overall patient experience. Food also provides a sense of comfort and familiarity during a hospital stay, while ensuring hardworking NHS staff have access to nourishing meals throughout busy shifts. This is why this competition is so important – to continue to push limits and learn from each other.
The standard has been incredibly high, well done to everyone who has taken part and to Tommy and Dawn, for taking the coveted title.”
Over six years, the NHS Chef Competition has helped raise technical cookery standards across the healthcare sector, while strengthening collaboration between NHS chefs, industry mentors and sponsors. The initiative continues to drive innovation and support improvements in patient and staff catering services throughout the NHS.
