Latest news with #MysteryBoxChallenge
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Fife care home head chef wins mystery box challenge at HC-One's inaugural Chef of the Year Competition
With over 40 years of experience in the catering industry, Roy's culinary journey began at the Post House Hotel in Edinburgh, where he trained through the prestigious Trust House Forte programme. Since then, he has honed his craft across a variety of hotels and restaurants, driven by a deep passion for quality food and outstanding service. Roy joined Balfarg Care Home in January 2024 and quickly became an integral part of the care community. Launched in February 2025, the HC-One Chef of the Year Competition was created to celebrate the talent, creativity, and dedication of HC-One chefs across the UK. The event highlights the essential role of care home chefs in preparing nutritious, personalised meals that enhance residents' wellbeing and everyday experiences. Roy advanced through a rigorous three-stage competition, beginning with the submission of his signature dish, including an innovative and nutritionally balanced Level 5 minced and moist option praised for its excellence. He progressed to the semi-finals in Leeds on 18th June, where his technical skill and creative presentation secured his place among six national finalists. In the grand final's mystery box challenge, the six finalists went head-to-head in a mystery box challenge where the finalists were presented with a box full of mystery ingredient items including caramel, coconut milk, white chocolate and KitKat sauce to create the ultimate dessert for residents. The more ingredients the contestants used as part of the dish, the more points they gained as well as being judged on their explanation for choosing why they created the dessert and how it would benefit residents living in their care homes. Roy wowed judges by crafting a cut fresh raspberry and banana mousse with a madeira cake base, delicate, easily digestible, and made with residents' needs in mind. The dessert featured chocolate coco, Nestlé milk powder, KitKat sauce, and white chocolate, strategically selected both for taste and health benefits. The judging panel included: Chris Bonner, Executive Chef & Nutrition & Hydration Lead, HC-One Jamie Clews, Development Chef, Metcalfe Catering Ben Ross, Key Account Manager, Unox Nick Vadis, Culinary Director, Compass UK & Ireland Special Guest Judge: James Tugendhat, CEO, HC-One Roy was presented his prize, a Nescafe Dolce Gusto Mini Me Coffee Machine Starter Kit by Chris Bonner, Executive Chef and Nutrition & Hydration Lead at HC-One. Roy credited his success to the support of Suzanne Stirling, Group Development Chef for Scotland, whose mentorship has helped him thrive in care catering. Roy Simpson, Head Chef at HC-One Scotland's Balfarg Care Home, said: 'I'm absolutely honoured to have won the Mystery Box Challenge at HC-One's first ever Chef of the Year competition. It was a fantastic experience to showcase the kind of food we create every day in our care homes, meals that are not just nutritious but made with love and respect for the people we serve. Being able to bring a smile to our residents through food is what drives me, and I'm proud to be part of a team that values kindness, quality, and care.' Mark Meacham, Head of Catering and Housekeeping Support Services at HC-One, praised Roy's achievement: 'Well done to Roy on winning the Mystery Box Challenge in our very first Chef of the Year competition. The competition was an important opportunity to formally recognise the expertise, dedication and professionalism demonstrated by our chefs across the organisation. Every day they deliver far more than food, they contribute to the dignity, wellbeing and quality of life of our residents.' The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors including EF-group, Nestlé, Unox, Contiquip, and Lockhart Catering. 1 . Contributed Roy Simpson, Head Chef at HC-One Scotland's Balfarg Care Home in action in the kitchen Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 2 . Contributed Roy Simpson, Head Chef at HC-One Scotland's Balfarg Care Home being presented with his prize at the HC-One Chef of the Year Competition, presented by Chris Bonner Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 3 . Contributed A selection of the Mystery Box Challenge desserts at the HC-One Chef of the Year Competition Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 4 . Contributed Roy Simpson, Head Chef at HC-One Scotland's Balfarg Care Home in action in the kitchen Photo: Submitted Photo Sales Related topics: FifeYorkGlenrothesEdinburgh
New York Post
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Masterchef' contestant caught doing ‘disgusting and unhygienic' cooking blunder: ‘Biggest ick'
Viewers are finding so much to love in this season of 'Masterchef,' complete with iconic contestants and delicious food to make drama-free, feel-good TV. In one of this week's eps, though, eagle-eyed fans officially got the ick from one contestant's simple act. And, it seems it's a recurring thing. 'Total pet peeve of mine' Eagle-eyed 'Masterchef' fans have officially gotten the ick with the show, after seeing a contestant, Theo Loizou, double dip while cooking. Theo was making his dish during the Mystery Box Challenge when he was caught red-handed, tasting it with a spoon, and then putting the spoon back into the saucepan to stir. Eagle-eyed Masterchef fans have officially gotten the ick with the show, after seeing a contestant, Theo Loizou, double dip while cooking. Masterchef One fan in particular took to Reddit to share the news. 'Anyone else notice Theo tasting his purée and then putting the same spoon back into the pot?' they wrote. 'I mean… don't tell I'm the only one! I always catch myself watching out for this, and it drives me nuts when contestants do it. Total pet peeve of mine. Yeesh.' 'I really don't want someone else's saliva in the food I'm going to eat' And, it's clear, everyone is on the same page, with contestants throughout the show's duration being called out for the act. Even former judge Gary Mehigan was exposed back in 2018, after double-dipping while tasting a contestant's dish. 'I think someone posted the same thing every season. I think that a lot of them did this, but got edited out. They might be more careful during team challenges. But I don't know,' said one commenter on Reddit. 'Yes, definitely an ick for me too. Totally fine if you're only cooking for yourself, but not if you're going to serve the food to others. I really don't want someone else's saliva in the food I'm going to eat, that's disgusting and unhygienic and a potential health risk,' another agreed. 'What's with the lack of hygiene?' Some said that health and safety standards on the show had taken a dive altogether. 'I mean… don't tell I'm the only one! I always catch myself watching out for this, and it drives me nuts when contestants do it. Total pet peeve of mine. Yeesh.' Masterchef 'They all do it!! And what's with the lack of hygiene when it comes to hair being open or in your face? That's the biggest ick! I don't know if I am remembering correctly but they all adhered to chef level hygiene standards in the initial years,' one person pointed out. 'Bronk's beard in S15 used to give me hives (not literally). They do follow some basics still, with the full trousers, closed shoes, and no long flowy sleeves bit (Used to get quite worried when Mel would walk around during the cook ). But that's more for safety than hygiene,' another added. 'It's not just reusing the spoon they've put in their mouths though… What about the rings they're wearing on their hands while they're handling foodstuffs or their hair flopping around their face while they cook etc etc. Maybe I'm a bit ocd but I get grossed out about these..' a third agreed. Kidspot has reached out to 'Masterchef' for comment.
