From Hospital Kitchen to the House of Commons

Last month NHS Supply Chain was invited to the House of Commons to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the NHS Chef of the Year competition.

Attending the NHS Chef of the Year celebration was a real privilege both to be part of celebrating a scheme which has done so much for food provision in the NHS and for those individuals who strive every day to serve quality, nutritional and tasty food in the care setting.

To meet those who have driven the programme and been recipients of it was an honour, a time to be proud of what we can achieve together as a system and the contribution NHS Supply Chain makes.

Richard Evans, Commercial Executive Director, NHS Supply Chain

We were delighted to see one of the chefs on the night was Gill Owen, a chef at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Shropshire, whose ambition to become a top NHS chef was sparked after attending one of our first Chefs Academy training sessions.

Gill’s warm pineapple upside-down cake with poached pear and spiced raspberry coconut sorbet was chosen as part of the celebratory menu, and she worked alongside the Commons’ culinary team to prepare dishes that impressed guests and dignitaries.

At each Chefs Academy, our experienced team teach culinary skills through hands-on cooking, inspire through new recipes and analysis (including a look at cost and time efficiency), and provide the opportunity to learn new dishes developed by NHS Supply Chain using our approved products.

By equipping chefs with new techniques, recipes, and nutritional analysis, the academy offers a platform for growth and attendees are empowered to return to their trusts empowered to deliver high-quality, cost-effective meals in healthcare settings.

I joined the NHS, as a bank catering assistant, in 2015, eventually becoming a full time team member in 2019. In 2021, my manager took me to one of the first Chefs Academy days, I was so nervous, having no previous professional cooking experience. By the end of that day I had met inspirational people, who spent time encouraging us all to produce some tasty, exciting Indian street food, all of which is designed to be easily replicated in an NHS environment. I got the chefs’ buzz from then on, giving me the confidence to suggest dishes for our restaurant to my manager. I was given the opportunity to develop a menu, to run alongside our patients’ menu, for the restaurant. The chefs at the RJAH Hospital also trained me to cook the patients’ food, teaching me how to work to their standards.

In 2023, I took part in the NHS Chef of the Year, with a colleague, and that whole experience opened up so many opportunities to improve, having contact with talented chefs, sharing their knowledge and experience, also nutritionists, NHS Net Zero advocates and suppliers to the NHS. We got to the finals, meeting fellow NHS chefs, all equally as nervous, but we went through the same experience, creating a bond where we helped each other.  

As a result of taking part in the NHS Chef of the Year, I was invited to cook at The House of Commons in October this year, for a lunch to celebrate five years of the Competition, what a huge honour, and an amazing adventure.

From a bank catering assistant to cooking at The House of Commons, thank you NHS Supply Chain: Food and NHS England for the opportunity to take part in Chefs Academy, and for encouraging me to grow both professionally and personally.

Gill Owen, Chef, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Shropshire

Gill Owen’s story is a powerful example of how the Chefs Academy can transform careers. From starting as a kitchen assistant to showcasing her skills as a chef at the House of Commons, her journey demonstrates the Academy’s role in nurturing talent and opening doors for NHS chefs.

Kerrey Healey, a chef from Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, also attended the House of Commons event, having previously been an attendee at the Chefs Academy. Kerrey is known for saying that every day in the NHS is “a school day”, a chance to learn, grow, and inspire. Her hands-on work across multiple sites, her improvement in culinary, administrative, and leadership skills, and her unwavering commitment to quality care through food has earned her the respect of colleagues and management alike.

With help and support on the Academy event, Kerrey has grown in confidence, creativity, and pride, bringing flavour, innovation, and heart into every dish. Her work uplifts patient experiences, supports staff morale, and champions sustainable practices in NHS kitchens.

Kerrey’s story is a testament to the transformative power of opportunity, investment, and belief in NHS chefs. She embodies the idea that food is more than fuel, it’s care, compassion, and a symbol of excellence, one dish at a time.

Since engaging with the NHS in 2022, every day has truly been a school day for me. Working alongside amazing managers and teams across eight sites has pushed me to grow my skills, confidence, and passion. This journey has shown me the power of believing in catering teams, where every meal is crafted with care, creativity, and pride. Food here is more than fuel; it’s a vital part of healing and hope. We try to offer food with purpose and change with courage.

Kerrey Healey, Chef, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Nick Vadis, Culinary Ambassador for NHS Supply Chain: Food also attended the event.

This year’s House of Commons Lunch was a huge success, highlighting two amazing chefs who had started their journey with us at NHS Supply Chain Chefs Academy, as part of the early adopters of the training initiative. Gill Owen then was a kitchen assistant and had no real culinary experience other than supporting the front of house in her trust.

Luckily, she was given a chance to attend the Chefs Academy and has not looked back since. She went on represent her trust in the now critically acclaimed NHS Chef of the Year competition and got all the way to the final three. Gill’s energy and a serious love for her craft have made her a real asset to her trust and all who work with her. Equally Kerrey has followed a similar path, pushing herself and supporting not just her own development through Chefs Academy but that of others in her trust.

She has been a competitor on two occasions for the NHS Chef of the Year and made it through to finals week on both occasions.

What they delivered at the House of Commons was amazing, the food and their presentation of the dishes, plus the story about their journeys and what can be achieved if you are given the opportunities to be part of was inspiring. Both chefs are testament to what can be achieved if you give creative people an opportunity to shine, and through that they have been able to bring their teams on the journey with them.

Nick Vadis, Culinary Ambassador for NHS Supply Chain: Food

We are proud to be continuing with our Chefs Academy events in 2026, we will be basing our events on trust requirements and can consider new locations based on where you are located in England. See our events page to stay up to date with future Chefs Academy dates.

Please get in touch with your local Food Account Manager to discuss, or contact NHS Supply Chain: Food.