Care Home Magazine - the UK publication for the residential care industry

The National Association of Care Catering (NACC) unveiled this year’s winners of its prestigious National Awards at a glittering gala dinner on Thursday 15 October.

These highly coveted annual awards celebrate the achievements of the teams and individuals who have done most to raise the standards of care catering during the previous 12 months.

The winners – all nominated by their peers – have not only demonstrated expertise and dedication, but also empathy for their service users and resilience in the face of challenging conditions. This year’s awards included a new category, the Innovation Award, highlighting the cutting-edge improvements that members are introducing to further enhance the nutritional care they provide.

Said NACC National Chair Neel Radia: “In a field of inspirational superstars who all deliver excellent nutrition and hydration to older and vulnerable people every day, it is always difficult to single out just a few members to receive recognition.

However, our annual awards seek to honour those who have gone well ‘above and beyond’ during the year, and we have found a group of very worthy winners. Huge congratulations to everyone who received an award this evening, and thank you to all our members who make a real difference to so many lives, day in day out.” The 2026 award winners The 2026 NACC National Award winners are:

Care Establishment of the Year Award, sponsored by allmanhall Branksome Heights, Kingsley Healthcare Meals on Wheels Award, sponsored by apetito Health & Independent Living Support (HILS) Catering Team of the Year Award, sponsored by Rational UK Middleton Hall Retirement Village Catering Manager of the Year Award, sponsored by Unilever Food Solutions Jody Marshall, Group Hospitality Manager, Meallmore Our Care Catering Hero Award, sponsored by Miele Jane Oliver, Senior Relief Chef, Cinnamon Care Collection The Bev Puxley Award*, sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Cooks London Darren Neal, Head of Culinary, White Oaks The Innovation Award, sponsored by Atosa Catering Equipment Taste the Memories by Signature Dining Special awards The winners of the following special awards were also announced at the gala dinner:

NACC Region of the Year Award, sponsored by Meiko UK Midlands Region Pam Rhodes Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by Winterhalter Nick Dutton National Chair’s Award (three winners) Consortium of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH) Hospital Caterers Association (HCA) Umbrella Academy The gala awards dinner was the culmination of the NACC Training & Development Forum, which took place on 14-15 October 2026 at Hilton at St George’s Park, Burton-upon-Trent.

*The Bev Puxley Award was introduced in 2022 in memory of Bev Puxley, a longstanding friend, supporter and champion of the NACC.