A CHEF at a care home in Tadley has been crowned Chef of the Year following a prestigious care awards.

Melliel Angel Kho at Cherry Blossom Manor has been crowned for the South Division in the Barchester Care Awards 2023 and is through to the National Cook-Off final.

The Barchester Care Awards celebrate the staff who go the extra mile for the benefit of the 13,000 residents living in Barchester’s 253 care homes and private hospitals across the country.

Categories range from Registered Nurse of the Year and Carer of the Year to Dementia Care Champion and Activities Coordinator of the Year.

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Almost 4,000 nominations were received from homes and hospitals across the UK. All entries were of a very high standard and Angel is over the moon to have been named Chef of the Year for the South Division after beating dozens of other chef nominees to make it to the Divisional Cook-Offs and then be crowned Divisional Winner following a closely fought final!

Angel said: “I am on cloud nine right now, it feels absolutely fantastic to be named Divisional Winner and be through to the National Cook Off Final. I loved taking part in the divisional cook-offs, it was nerve-wracking but brilliant in equal measure. I can’t believe I won, I was speechless when I found out!”

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As the winner of the South Division, Angel is through to the national cook-off finals where the overall winner will be decided.  They will join winners from across the UK at a special awards event in October to celebrate their outstanding achievements and discover if they have won the national Chef of the Year award.

General manager Gigi Despojo added: “This is an amazing achievement and every single person in the whole home is supporting Angel. We are so proud of her.  “Angel is such an excellent chef, she really deserves this award and we are routing for her to go all the way!”