Nora O’Malley, from Lettermore, has been named Aramark Ireland’s Healthcare Chef of the Year 2022.
Ms O'Malley, who works at Áras Ronáin Community Nursing Unit in Aran, wowed judges with her deconstructed mikado as part of a challenge to create a gluten-free dish in a live cook-off. The final took place in the Unilver Chefmanship Centre in Dublin last week to coincide with Coeliac Awareness Week.
The other finalists were Roman Borowski, Mayo University Hospital; Himat Singh, Atlantic Technological University; Antonia Ciera Ramos, University Hospital Galway; and Krzysztof Stefanski and Elizabeth Olusona, both from Royal Hospital Donnybrook.
Ms O’Malley's winning deconstructed mikado consisted of a coconut crumb, a raspberry marshmallow, and a raspberry gel.
The judging panel was made up of Derek Reilly, culinary director for Aramark, Frances Buckley, from the Coeliac Society of Ireland, and the lead judge was Audrey Crone, executive chef at Unilver Food Solutions.
“I am thrilled to have been named Aramark’s Healthcare Chef of the Year 2022," Ms O'Malley said. "This is the first culinary competition I have ever taken part in, so to come away with a win is a proud moment for me. I’d like to congratulate my fellow competitors, who cooked amazing dishes on the day. A very big thank you to the whole Aramark team for organising a great event.”
Derek Reilly, culinary director for Aramark, commented: “This year our Healthcare Chef of the Year competition coincided with Coeliac Awareness Week in Ireland, which was a big influence in deciding the competition rules. Our healthcare chefs are regularly required to modify their dishes to specific dietary requirements, so we thought this competition was the perfect opportunity for our finalists to put these skills to the test.
"I am extremely proud of all the finalists who showed a real passion, enthusiasm, and energy during the final, while also demonstrating diligence in their stringent hygiene practices. I’d like to thank Unilever Food Solutions and the Coeliac Society of Ireland for their involvement, and a special thanks to Frances and Audrey for joining us on the day to judge the dishes.”
