She received the honour in front of NACC members and guests at the Training & Development Forum, held at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham.
The competition, celebrating its 25th anniversary, saw finalists go head-to-head at Loughborough College. Chefs were given 90 minutes to prepare a two-course menu, a main and dessert suitable for a care setting. Dishes had to be nutritionally balanced, cost no more than £4.50 per head, and include at least one product from Unilever Food Solutions’ catering range.
Ilona impressed the judges with her balsamic vinegar and muscovado coq au vin, followed by a whisky and orange crème brûlée with almond puff pastry fingers and semi-frozen orange segments. She also received the Highly Commended Main award.
Head judge Steve Munkley praised the standard of entries:
“It was a hard-fought competition with some amazing cooking served up by all the chefs in such a variety of dishes.”
Other winners included:
- Runner-up: Caitlin Goodall of AbleCare Homes, who also earned Highly Commended Dessert for her orange syrup semolina sponge with crème fraîche.
- Third place: Dawn Louise Brown of Greenholme Care Home, Avery Healthcare.
- Health & Hygiene Award: Clare Broadbent, Devonshire House, Harbour Healthcare.
- Sustainability & Waste Management Award: Jack Wood, Colten Care.
Neel Radia, NACC National Chair, praised the finalists:
“I am constantly amazed by the standards our chefs achieve. Their determination, creativity and passion for care catering shine through year after year. This competition not only celebrates excellence but also raises the profile of care chefs and helps attract new talent to the sector.”
The 2025 final featured chefs from across the UK, including entrants from Colten Care, Care UK, Meallmore Ltd, Abbey Healthcare, Harbour Healthcare, and others.
Ilona Tomza, Porthaven Care Homes, NACC Care Chef of the Year 2025, National Association of Care Catering, care catering, care chefs UK, Steve Munkley, Neel Radia, Loughborough College, East Midlands Conference Centre, AbleCare Homes, Avery Healthcare, Colten Care, Care UK, UK care sector awards
