11 September 2026

At EF-Group, we believe a procurement partnership should deliver far more than commercial value.

It should create opportunities, support people, encourage innovation, and help our clients achieve the ambitions that matter most to them. Our support for, and sponsorship of, Anchor Chef of the Year 2026 is a fantastic example of how we work in partnership with our clients to add value beyond the traditional procurement relationship.

Delivered through a series of regional finals before culminating in a two-day national final at the School of Artisan Food in Nottinghamshire, the competition celebrated the talent, creativity and dedication of chefs working across Anchor’s care homes. Most importantly, it demonstrated the essential role these chefs play in creating memorable dining experiences for Anchor’s residents every day.

Celebrating talent across the regions

The journey to the national final began with regional competitions held across the country. At each event, Anchor chefs were invited to showcase their culinary expertise and compete for a place in the national final. The heats created an opportunity to recognise colleagues who consistently bring skill, imagination and care to their kitchens, while also encouraging chefs to learn from one another and develop their confidence.

This year marked the 10-year anniversary of the competition, with the theme ‘Year of Culture’ embedded throughout. Participants built menus inspired by diverse culinary traditions and influences. Alongside creativity and flavour, scoring criteria also covered sustainability with food waste measured. The chefs were also challenged to demonstrate their understanding of inclusive dining through being required to produce an IDDSI Level 4 puréed dish, highlighting resident needs and the importance of inclusivity at resident mealtimes.

Across every regional final, the standard was incredibly high. Each event highlighted the depth of talent that exists across Anchor, with two chefs from each region making it through to the national.

Supporting chefs at all levels across Anchor

The national final was held at the School of Artisan Food in Nottinghamshire, and involved two days of competition, collaboration and development opportunities.

The first day placed a particular focus on supporting future talent through a catering apprentice challenge. Each finalist was partnered with an apprentice chef from an Anchor care home, giving the apprentice chefs an opportunity to work alongside experienced chefs and benefit from their support and guidance.

The teams began their challenge with a visit to the School of Artisan Food’s on-site farm shop. With a budget of just £20, they had to select the ingredients they would use to create a starter and a main course. An additional twist came in the form of a mystery ingredient, which each team selected at random from a bag. They then had to incorporate this ingredient into their dishes, testing their creativity and ability to think on their feet.

Through sponsoring events like this, we provide Anchor with a platform to invest in their people, developing future talent and providing opportunities to chefs.

The National Final gets underway

The Anchor Chef of the Year 2026 national final took place on day two! Each finalist had to recreate their menu from the regional final, sticking to the year of culture theme. Each chef brought their own interpretation to the competition, drawing on different cuisines and personal experiences – as well as linking to day-to-day life in their care home and interactions with residents.

Throughout the day, the finalists demonstrated exceptional skill and professionalism. From thoughtful ingredient choices to creative presentation, every course reflected the care and passion that Anchor’s chefs bring to their roles.

A huge congratulations to James Conroy from Eric Morecambe House, Morecambe, who was crowned Anchor Chef of the Year 2026!

Congratulations to James, as well as every chef who participated throughout the regional and national competitions. The standard across the entire competition was incredible.

Partnership that goes beyond procurement

We were incredibly proud to support and sponsor this event. By supporting initiatives such as this, we can help our clients bring their values to life and create experiences that have a positive and lasting impact on their colleagues and residents.

Anchor Chef of the Year 2026 showed what can be achieved when clients, colleagues and supplier partners come together around a shared purpose. It is this collaborative approach that enables EF-Group to deliver value beyond procurement and support the outcomes that matter most to our clients and their residents.

Want to learn more about how we can support your business? Contact us here.