Two colleagues from University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL)’s Retail Catering team have made it through to the final of the NHS Chef of the Year 2025 competition, as regional champions.
Retail Catering Production and Development Manager, Eddie Makuwaza and Retail Catering Assistant, Akhil Antony impressed judges at the Midlands heat with their innovation, skill, and passion for delivering high-quality food in the NHS. Now, they will be one of just eight teams from across England who will be part of the contest’s final this October, at the Grand hotel in York.
The NHS Chef of the Year competition brings chefs from across the health service in England together to create delicious, nutritious and budget-conscious meals that can be delivered in real NHS settings. At the heat, the UHL duo produced a low-carbon, three-course meal within a budget of £6 – £8. The menu had to include an allergen-free course, and one which was plant-based – including a hot main meal, and a dessert with 50 per cent fruit content.
Eddie Makuwaza said: “It’s a great honour to participate in this competition, and I’m proud that we brought the regional trophy home to Leicester. We’ve had great support from our management team and especially our colleague Ismail Badat, who was also our driver, cheerleader and provider of moral support.”
Commercial Services Manager, Karen James, said: “This is a huge achievement and a testament to the talent and dedication within our catering team. We’re proud to have Eddie and Akhil representing UHL on the national stage, and wish them the very best as they prepare for the finals.”
Philip Shelley, NHS England national lead for food, said: “The NHS Chef of the Year contest is a showcase of innovation in hospital food, and a powerful way to promote careers in NHS catering — an often overlooked but essential part of patient care and recovery.”