Brothers cooking for NHS patients in Gosport reach finals of national Chef of the Year competition
Chefs were judged on cooking, butchery skills, children’s menus and more.
Two brothers who prepare meals for NHS patients in Gosport have reached the national finals of a prestigious catering competition.
Mitch and Cliff Waudby, who work at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's Gosport central production unit, competed against NHS catering teams from across the country in the NHS Chef of the Year 2026 competition.
.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
The four-day event, held at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, put competitors through a series of challenges designed to test their culinary skills and knowledge. These included butchery, developing children's menus, vegetarian and vegan cooking, specialist modified meals, retail catering and sustainable fine dining.
Chefs were judged on more than the quality of their cooking, with nutrition, creativity, sustainability and commercial awareness also playing a part.
Mitch and Cliff are part of the team responsible for producing meals for patients across the trust, helping to support their care and wellbeing through nutritious food.
Suzanne Rankin, chief executive of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are incredibly proud of Mitch and Cliff for reaching the finals of NHS Chef of the Year. To compete at this level against some of the most skilled NHS chefs in the country is a fantastic achievement.
"Their performance demonstrates the talent, professionalism and dedication within our catering services and highlights the important role our teams play in supporting patient care, recovery and wellbeing. They have been outstanding ambassadors for the trust."
The brothers said they were proud to have represented the trust at the national event.
"Taking part in the national finals was an incredible experience," they said. "We were proud to represent the trust, showcase the work of our catering teams and compete alongside some fantastic chefs from across the NHS.
“We've learned a lot and made memories that will stay with us for a long time."