Caldy Manor's Alison Donaldson crowned 'culinary queen'

Alison Donaldson, managing director at Caldy Manor, put her culinary skills in the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2024.

She went head-to-head with managing directors from Barchester's four other divisions and cooked up a storm to raise a phenomenal £24,595 for Barchester's Charitable Foundation, which helps connect vulnerable people and those living with a disability to community groups in their local area by providing grants to improve mobility and quality of life.

Each year the Foundation distributes thousands of pounds to individuals, small community groups and charities across England, Scotland and Wales.

In 2023 the Foundation achieved a donation milestone of £225,000 which enabled the charity to provide vital help to 160 small groups and charities, plus 87 individuals in one year alone.

One of the culinary delights that saw Alison Donaldson, managing director of Caldy Manor care home, crowned Cook Off Champion in the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2024 (Image: Stephanie Wynne / Caldy Manor)

Alison made what were described by Caldy Manor as 'fabulous dishes' for her Cook Off Challenge.

First she prepared a delicious Chicken Roulade stuffed with pork and apple sausage in a mushroom, shallot and madeira sauce.

Then she moved on to Sticky Toffee Pudding served with clotted cream and edible flowers both of which were very well received by the judging panel made up members of Barchester’s Executive team.

Alison's colleagues and residents at Caldy Manor were full of praise. Hannah Roberts, general manager of Caldy Manor care home, said: "We are all so proud of Alison, she really is amazing – is there nothing she can't do. 

"Her dishes looked absolutely fantastic and she raised so much for the Foundation, we think she is an absolute super star".