A talented chef, whose top quality food is served to residents at a care homein Carmarthenshire, has been shortlisted to be named for National Chef of Wales. Dave Williams will go head-to-head with some of the country's top chefs, including one who works at a Michelin-starred restaurant, in the finals of the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW) annual competition.
The 36-year-old, originally from Merthyr but who now lives in Carmarthenshire, works as head chef at Cwm Gwendraeth nursing home in Tumble and is the first care home chef to have reached the final of the competition in 20 years. He believes that the food served to its residents should be as enjoyable as going out for a restaurant meal would be and in reaching the final wants to highlight that care home kitchens can do this - as well as it being a personal test for himself and his own brilliant culinary skills.
He said: "We are often overlooked, but there is some fantastic talent in care home kitchens everywhere." Dave is up against: Dan Andree, head chef at the Michelin-starred Beach House Restaurant in Oxwich, Swansea; Jamie Tully, executive chef at Chartist 1770 at The Trewythen in Llanidloes; Sophie Rowe, who is the chef de partie at Gaerwen Arms in Anglesey; Matthew Owen, who is the Celtic Manor's head chef in Newport and The Cottage Loaf in Llandudno's sous chef, Dalton Weir.
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The final will take place on Thursday, February 23, with the winners being announced on Friday, February 24 at The Imperial Hotel, Llandudno. The finalists will cook a three-course meal in front of the judges, over a five-hour period. The caveat is that they must use mainly Welsh ingredients, with the starter needing to be suitable for vegans, the main including two cuts of lamb and the dessert having fruit and homemade - from scratch - ice cream.
Dave will not be alone, however, and will be assisted by his colleague Peter Pimm - who Dave has called the "most important ingredient in the mix." The meals he will be creating will have a little more creative licence than those at the nursing home, a spokesperson for Fieldbay, which owns the care home, explains.
Dave's entry into the culinary industry stems from his grandmother's kitchen, having been brought up by his grandparents. Being a school cook, she passed her culinary wisdom down to him and encouraged Dave to cook from an early age and soon he began working in kitchens and went to culinary college. After being unsuccessful in applying for an apprentice role at a top London restaurant, Dave, who has been described as "incredibly modest", took a step back from the world of catering and instead worked in security for over five years.
But his love for cooking was never lost - and it is highlighted in the tattoos he has inked onto his arms (fruit, vegetables, a pair of crossed chef's knives with the phrase 'mise en place') - and he soon returned to cooking, landing a head chef role at a top tourist resort in West Wales - Carmarthen Bay Holiday Park ("people would come for the food," a spokesperson for Fieldbay said) - and then at Cwm Gwendraeth - run by Fieldbay where his wife also worked.
Speaking about preparing dishes for those at the care home, Dave says: "I always think, what would I want if it was me, or a loved one, resident here? I am happy I can use my skills to help improve people’s lives.”
Although his journey to head chef here wasn't as obvious - he began as a kitchen assistant, keeping his past experience and calibre of his cooking close to his chest and didn't tell anyone he had actually been a chef until he had an opportunity to showcase his culinary skills when the previous head chef took time off. And ever since, he's been cooking up a storm for the residents - and rather impressively. So much so that ahead of the final, he received a message of good luck from one of his food heroes, Raymond Blanc
Fieldbay’s Managing Director, Paula Lewis, added: "We are passionate about ensuring high standards in care. Nutritious, good quality, food is such an important part of that. We are lucky to have Dave working for us. He is a fantastic chef and we are incredibly proud of him reaching the finals of this National Competition." The winner of Wales Chef of the Year will be announced on Friday, February 24. For more information on the awards, see here.
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