Poundbury care home chef Beata crowned Care Chef of the Year

Beata Kaczynska, head chef at Colten Care’s Castle View home in Poundbury, was recognised for her personalised approach to nutrition and her dedication to residents at the ceremony in London.

Ms Kaczynska said: "When they read my name out along with the others on the shortlist, my heart was pounding, it was pure adrenalin.

"But when I saw my face up on the big screen and they said I was the winner, I felt disbelief.

Colten Care’s Beata Kaczynska, Head Chef at Castle View in Poundbury, Dorset, on stage at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge with her award for Care Chef of the Year. (Image: Colten Care/Deep South Media)

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"I couldn’t believe it was really me.

"My Colten colleagues at our two tables were going ecstatic and cheering.

"It was such a beautiful moment.

"I felt great happiness, proud and honoured to be chosen.

"To be recognised by judges from across the care industry makes me feel really special.

"It shows they appreciate we are doing something meaningful here at Colten."

Colten Care’s Beata Kaczynska, Head Chef at Castle View in Poundbury, Dorset, on stage at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge with her award for Care Chef of the Year. On the far left is ceremony host the comedian, writer and presenter Tom Allen. (Image: Colten Care/Deep South Media)

Praised for her compassionate care and culinary skill, she was described as a chef who combines "culinary excellence, nutritional expertise and genuine understanding of the residents she cooks for every day."

Judges highlighted her work with a new resident at risk of malnutrition, tailoring meals to increase calorie intake without increasing portion size, and introducing homemade high-calorie milkshakes.

They said: "Beata takes residents’ health and nutrition seriously without ever compromising on taste, with personalised food fortification leading to positive health outcomes."

Elaine Farrer, chief operating officer at Colten Care, said: "Since joining Castle View in 2021, Beata has combined culinary skill with a detailed understanding of residents' nutritional needs, preferences and routines, ensuring food remains a source of nourishment, choice and genuine pleasure.

"We are all immensely proud of Beata, and it was a real joy to be with her and see her win on the night."

Colten Care’s head of hospitality Richard Pearshouse said the award demonstrates the high standards across the group’s kitchens.

He said: "The award is a reflection of just how great Colten Care chefs are.

"As a head chef in a care home you are the heart of the home and Beata is the very definition of this."