A CHEF at a care home in Tadley has been crowned National Chef of the Year at an industry awards ceremony. 

Melliel Angel Kho from Cherry Blossom Mano in Tadley has been crowned National Chef of the Year in the Barchester Care Awards 2023.

The Barchester Care Awards celebrate staff who go the extra mile for the benefit of the 13,000 residents living in Barchester’s 257 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.

Basingstoke Gazette: Davesh Kumar, Head of Hospitality, Angel Kho, Head Chef at Cherry Blossom Manor and Dr Pete

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Almost 4,000 nominations were received from homes and hospitals across the UK. Angel is said to be 'over the moon' to have been named the national winner, beating hundreds of other nominees to the title.

Angel said: “I just can’t believe I have been named the national winner. I am so proud and so thankful to everyone who nominated and voted for me. 

“The other chefs were all so good, they were all really tough competition. It means the world to me to be recognised for doing the job I love.”

Angel’s win was announced at a national award ceremony which took place on Wednesday, October 11 to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Barchester’s staff members.

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Cherry Blossom Manor’s general manager, Gigi Despojo, said: “This is such a fantastic achievement, to be named the best across the entire Barchester business - the whole home is so proud of her. 

“Angel is such an asset to our home; she always goes the extra mile to ensure she has done the best possible job, and our residents have everything they need.  Everyone in the home loves Angel, she is so hard-working and so caring, she thoroughly deserves this award.”

Dr Pete Calveley, chief executive of Barchester Healthcare, added: “Hosting the Barchester Care Awards where we recognise and thank all our staff for their hard work and dedication is without doubt my favourite day of the year.

“We have the best teams in the world, and I couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of our members of staff, they are all absolutely amazing.”