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Barchester's Charity Cook-Off 2026
Managing Directors vs Senior Management & Exec Team
Each year our hospitality team sets out to raise funds for Barchester's Charitable Foundation, by pitting colleagues against each other in this fun annual cooking competition.
This year's Cook Off will take place on 30 April and will see our Managing Directors competing against our Senior Management & Exec team.
The Foundation supports local communities and contributes to individuals fulfilling their aspirations. Read Jane's story - one of the many inspiring stories demonstrating the positive outcomes delivered through the Barchester Charity Foundation.
Bigger and Better than last year!
Last year the cook-off took place on 9 April at Edgbaston Cricket Ground to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation.
Each division had 2 RDs working together to produce exquisite dishes to impress the judges. The cook-off showed collaboration, creativity and fun competition across all Divisions, in addition to raising funds.
Each pair created 4 dishes – a starter, main course, dessert and afternoon tea, and the competition was judged by our Executive Board members who are seasoned foodies!
Last year’s Barchester Charity Cook Off raised over £32,000 making a meaningful impact for those the charity supports. Let's see if we can beat last year's total!
Pick your team
The Managing Directors from the North West & Midlands, South East & South West, and Central & South Central divisions will be working as a team taking on Barchester's Senior Management & Exec Team. Please visit the Just Giving page of the team you support! Every donation goes directly to Barchester's Charitable Foundation.
The Managing Directors Team
Alison Donaldson & Stella Bolger will be representing the North West & Midlands, and the Hospitals Divisions.
Alison & Stella's Just Giving Page
Michelle Macadangdang & Duncan Edwards are representing the South East & South West Divisions.
Michelle & Duncan's Just Giving Page
Angela Bradford & Jo Fitzgerald will be representing the Central and South Central Divisions.
The Senior Management & Exec Team
Alison Glover – Chief Financial Officer
Julia Atherton – Director of Nursing & Dementia
Mark Bennett – Property Director
Paul Mason – Director of Health & Safety
Tom Holloway – Head of Digital Marketing
Tony Woollett – Director of Workforce Planning & Recruitment
Fiona Fagan representing Scotland & North East Division.
Fiona will not be participating in the cook-off, but would like her division to help raise funds for our wonderful charity.
What happens on the day?
Each team will work in pairs to create their dishes. All the dishes can be their own creation, or a resident favourite. They will consist of:
- Three Starters - either a soup, vegetarian dish, and a protein salad
- Two Main Courses - any meat, fish, or vegetarian dish
- Two Dessert & One Afternoon Tea item - sweet or savoury
The teams will be cooking 3 plates of each. 1 for the judges and 2 for the gallery. Judges will be blind tasting the presented dish.
Our residents will also be getting involved! The chefs in each of our homes will be given the menus and dishes to recreate for the residents to try. Residents will then cast their votes for their favourite dish and menu.
