Staff and residents at Vecta House care home in Newport are celebrating after their Regional Directors, Jayne Holloway and Maria Stefea, stepped out of their comfort zones to compete in the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2025.
Representing Barchester’s South Division, Jayne and Maria went head-to-head with Regional Directors from Barchester’s four other divisions to raise funds for the Foundation, which supports vulnerable individuals and those living with disabilities. The cook-off raised a total of £31,000.
The Barchester Charitable Foundation provides grants to improve mobility and quality of life, helping connect people to local community groups. In 2024, the Foundation reached a milestone, distributing £335,000 to 239 small groups and charities, as well as 104 individuals across England, Scotland and Wales.
Jayne and Maria impressed the judging panel – made up of Barchester’s Executive team – with a 3-course menu and afternoon tea items. Their menu included a cream cheese and salmon mousse starter, a classic Chicken Cordon Bleu for the main, and a gooey Lava Cake dessert. Their afternoon tea offering featured mini lemon and raspberry upside-down cakes.
Although they narrowly missed out on the top prize, they were highly commended by the judges and received the Best Presentation award for their elegant and creative dishes.
General Manager of Vecta House care home, Nichola Shepherd, said:
“We are all so proud of Maria & Jayne for taking part in this challenge, they really are both amazing. Their dishes looked absolutely fantastic and they raised so much for the Foundation, we think they are absolute super stars!”.
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