Staff and residents at Hollyfields care home in Kidderminster are over the moon because their talented Managing Director, Alison Donaldson, from Barchester’s North West & Midlands Division, and her team of fellow MDs have really brought home the bacon and won the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2026.
Alison’s team, the Pressure Cookers, made up of Managing Directors and a Hospital Director from five of Barchester’s divisions, went head to head with members of Barchester’s Executive team, the Rolling Scones, to cook up a storm and win the coveted Cook Off crown whilst raising vital funds for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation. With money still coming in, so far the Cook Off 2026 has raised an extraordinary £53,000.
The Charitable Foundation 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 2025 the Foundation achieved a donation milestone of £424,000 which enabled the charity to provide vital help to a staggering 262 small groups and charities, plus 123 individuals in one year alone.
The Pressure Cookers beat the Rolling Scones with their sensational menu which had a choice of three different starters, the judges named their Lobster Bisque with chive crème fraiche and croutons an absolute triumph. For main, there was a choice of Cod Loin with beetroot, asparagus and champ mash or homemade Sweet Potato and Chickpea Curry. For dessert, the options were White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake or Rhubarb Crumble Custard Tart and their Afternoon Tea item was a Sausage Plait with red onion chutney which the judges agreed was to die for.
Alison comments: “It was very much a team effort but I am so proud of what we all achieved.
“The dishes we created looked amazing and were delicious if I do say so myself. We absolutely smashed it out of the park but the icing on the cake was the amount of money we raised thanks to the support of all our homes so I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated.” General Manager of Hollyfields care home, Alison Moseley-Shaw, adds: “We are all in awe of Chef Alison, is there nothing she can’t do!
“All of the MDs did a brilliant job and raised so much money, they are an absolute inspiration to us all. The Foundation is a cause very close to all our hearts so this is a remarkable achievement.” To support Alison visit her fundraising page at: Barchester's Charity Cook-Off 2026 - Barchester Healthcare
Barchester Healthcare is one of the UK’s largest care providers supporting older people living independent lives with dignity and respect. Providing a wide range of services for a variety of needs, Barchester Healthcare supports over 13,800 residents across 270 homes and hospitals for short breaks to long term stays. A leading care provider over the last 30 years, Barchester services include residential care and nursing care tailored to the individual.
Barchester also provide expert dementia care. Many Barchester homes feature a Memory Lane Community, which is a dedicated part of the home designed to support residents who are living with various stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia, to stay as independent and active as possible. Barchester also have dedicated services that provide specialist care for those who require neuro rehabilitation, as well as care for those with Parkinson’s or Huntington’s disease. Barchester have six independent mental health hospitals that offer functional and organic mental health services.
Once again Barchester Healthcare is proud to be named winner of the RoSPA Health and Safety Award for the Healthcare sector for its contribution to occupational health and safety.
At Barchester, we celebrate life and make sure the people we support do too. Our teams of well-trained staff focus on the individual needs of each resident and are passionate about independence, dignity and choice for all residents in their care. We employ motivated, attentive staff, who are committed to a high standard of care.
