Vegetarian for Life has announced the finalists for its 2021 Awards for Excellence in Vegetarian and Vegan Care Catering.

This year marks the sixth annual Awards and with more vegans and vegetarians moving into residential care every year, this annual award recognises those who are pioneering the way in modern care catering.

The finalists are:

Veggie Care Chef of The Year – shortlist to be announced by television and radio presenter, property expert, and writer, Jasmine Harman.

Finalists

• Ben Kerslake – Frome Nursing Home

• Champa Mistry – Birchwood Grange Care Home

• Grant Burton – The Hawthorns Braintree

Most Innovative Veggie Dish – shortlist to be announced by actress Roxy Shahidi, best known for playing Leyla Harding in ITV soap Emmerdale.

Finalists

• Gary McGurk, Primrose Bank Residential Care Home – Vegan Gluten-Free Nut Brownies 

• Grant Burton, The Hawthorns Braintree – Crispy Gnocchi with a Tomato and Basil Sauce 

• Tom Waters, Ashfields Care Home – Chickpea ‘Tuna’

Veggie Wholesaler of The Year – shortlist to be announced by Scottish actor Paul Higgins.

Finalists

• Anglia Crown 

• Bidfood

• Thomas Ridley   

The Beulah Charity Trust Special Recognition Award – to be announced by comedian, actor, writer and film producer Dave Spikey – perhaps best known for his stand-up comedy, and starring in the British comedy programme Phoenix Nights.

This year’s event will broadcast via Facebook and YouTube from 2pm on Wednesday 26 January, and will be hosted by popular MC, comedian and radio presenter, Matt Adlington.

Amanda Woodvine, CEO of Vegetarian for Life, said: “The awards have become a much-anticipated event, with the ceremony taking place in the House of Parliament in recent years.”

“Covid-19 restrictions have made a physical event impossible, so this year’s ceremony will again be held virtually. We’re delighted that Matt Adlington will return to present the awards, along with some fantastic celebrity friends.”