A chef from Beech House care home, in Salford, has been crowned ‘Akari Care Master Chef 2015’. Michael Byrne was chosen as the winner across Akari Care’s 39 homes throughout the UK.

The competition aims to promote British produce and nutrition in the care industry. The initiative was a collaboration between Akari Care and food service provider Brakes.

Speaking about his win Michael said: “I am delighted to have won this competition and it is an honour to have had my culinary skills recognised. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time, from the regional heats all the way through to the final, and it has been great to meet fellow chefs from Akari and draw on their menus that are served at their care homes.”

Lynn Fearn, Deputy CEO at Akari Care, said: “It was a tough decision to make as all five finalists prepared some fantastic dishes, but as with all these things, there can only be one winner and I would like to congratulate Michael on an excellent job.

“Our catering staff across all of our care homes, throughout the country, work extremely hard to provide our residents with a variety of different meals, which satisfy their dietary and nutritional needs. Akari Care Master Chef 2015 has proved to be a massive success and was received well by everyone at the company. It has been great to team up with Brakes for the initiative and we are looking forward to working with them moving forward.”

Tim Pepper, the Brakes Key Account Manager for Akari Care added, “We are delighted to be working alongside Akari Care as their food service provider offering them ongoing support in the way of the Akari Care Master Chef competition. All of the finalists produced some excellent dishes and it was a very close decision, our congratulations go to Michael on producing a winning menu combination. Congratulations to all the finalists and a great day was had by all.”