Verity Sims of Dawson's Lodge in Southampton is Anchor's best

Verity Sims, who works at Dawson Lodge in Botley Road, went up against chefs from all 114 care homes run by Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider.

Entrants of the Chef of the Year Award submitted a three-course recipe, and Ms Sims took the top spot this year.

She was voted as the best by regional managers, and said: "I still can’t quite believe it! To make the final three was incredible but I never thought I’d win.

Verity Sims is named as Anchor's best chef across all 114 of its care homes

"Our residents always tell me how much they enjoyed traditional dishes from their childhood. So, when I entered the Chef of the Year competition, I decided to use them as my inspiration.

“I really wanted to create a menu that our residents would love. They were really helpful and told me some wonderful stories about their favourite dishes, so maybe they’re the ones who should be getting the credit."

Ms Sims was crowned the Anchor’s Chef of the Year at a ceremony at Dawson Lodge.

The judges agreed that her menu of classic home dishes of cream of tomato soup, chicken and ham pie and sticky toffee pudding combined the perfect balance of "traditional comfort and culinary excellence".

Anchor’s chief executive Jane Ashcroft, who presented the award, said: “Huge congratulations to Verity. This year’s competition was especially fierce, and it is a testament to the excellent quality of her menu that it took first prize against so many other great chefs.

"Her Chicken and Ham Pie was superb. At Anchor, we pride ourselves on colleagues’ dedication. Good quality home cooked food is central to ensuring residents have a really positive experience in all Anchor care homes – and I’m sure residents at Dawson Lodge will be celebrating along with Verity."

Verity Sims is named as Anchor's best chef across all 114 of its care homes

Noel Finnegan, Anchor’s national catering and hospitality manager, added: “It’s been an incredible year for the Anchor Chef of the Year competition. Thank you to all the nominees this year for their dedication and hard work. It was incredibly difficult to get to three finalists and then rank the finalists themselves!

“It’s wonderful to be able to hold the judging in person again. Although we did a fantastic job creating the virtual event last year, there is honestly no substitute to judging a catering competition by taste!”