Care home chef who turned his back on teaching had 'tears' in his eyes after award win

A care home chef who turned his back on teaching has beaten three other head chefs to become chef of the year at the annual Dormy Care Awards.

Ashley Davies, 25, won the prestigious award at the Dormy Care Awards in Bath earlier this month and says: “I literally had tears in my eyes.

"I feel like all my hard work had paid off. Even now I wake up and think how did I beat three head chefs?”

Mr Davies joined Brockington House care home based in Hereford in 2019 after finishing his PGCE because he wanted to see what it would be like working with older people before he started teaching primary school children.

“I had worked with younger people but it was a friend of mine who was coming into this industry who said I should try it. As soon as I came here, I fell in love with the residents and the staff. They became my friends and I feel I can talk to them about everything”.

'Three years ago I had no experience'

Mr Davies started his career as a host and kitchen assistant and after a few months, care home director, Shann Thomas, noticed Mr Davies had a passion for cooking and suggested he did a catering course at the local college.

“Because I had been a host, I knew the likes and dislikes of the residents and what they could and couldn’t eat. I used to come back from college, cook some things for the residents and show it off.

“I had only been on the catering course for six months when Shann asked if anyone wanted to enter the Dormy Chef of the Year competition”.

This annual competition sees chefs take on an opportunity to showcase their skills across all four Dormy care homes.

Mr Davies said: “I had nothing to lose. Even if I cook dishes and everyone hates them, they could still give me feedback. Why wouldn’t I take on the challenge, learn something new and push myself, take what I have learnt at college over the last few months”.

On the day, judges including the chief executive of Dormy Community Care found Mr Davies’ food stood out from the rest.

Mr Davies added: “It shows the last three years have meant something. I got the recognition.

“Three years ago I had no experience. I’m now a chef and have won chef of the year. If you push yourself, you can go far.”

Shann Thomas said: “From teacher to dining host, to finding his passion for cooking. We are so proud to have supported Ash on his journey to chef and in his pursuit of excellence as demonstrated by winning the Dormy chef of the year competition.”

All chefs who entered the competition were presented with a cheque, a certificate and a specially designed kitchen knife.

'I felt it would make me close to my mum again'

Another winner at the Dormy Care Awards was Lauren Glover from Pine Martin Grange Care Home who won exceptional newcomer award.

The judges said her hard work and compassion towards the residents really shone through.

Since she was 14, Ms Glover had worked in cafes but after losing her mum two years ago, a friend of hers suggested she should give care work a go.

She said: “I felt it would make me close to my mum again. My mum used to be a nurse and I feel that I am following in my mum’s footsteps by helping people.

“When I went for my interview at Pine Martin, I felt it was very homely and it has a really lovely family feel”.

Even during her training, Ms Glover felt supported by other staff members as well as management. “I was able to shadow until I felt confident and that made a big difference to me.

“Everyone has faith in what each other does and there is always the support here.” Ms Glover says that she couldn’t believe it when she heard she had won the award.

“I know I work hard but everyone else does too. I feel I can ask anyone for advice, so for me to win the award was an amazing feeling, I couldn’t believe it”.

Regarding her long term career goals, she wants to continue her training so she can become a senior care worker in the near future.

She says the chief executive of Dormy Care Communities, Helen Davies-Parsons has done such a “brilliant job. She always goes above and beyond to support everyone at Dormy”.

'I am extremely proud of each and every individual'

The annual Dormy Care Awards is an opportunity to showcase team members who have really made a difference and go above and beyond in supporting the residents in their care homes.

The award ceremony was held in Bath and saw all 26 finalists presented with a trophy, certificate and a cheque to thank them for going above and beyond with the work they do.

Ms Davies-Parsons said: “I am extremely proud of each and every individual who was a finalist.

“These are all very special people who do exceptional things each and every day. I am sure many, like myself, found the stories humbling and emotional, hearing the passion and dedication from these incredible people and I cannot thank them enough for what they do.

“We hope everyone who is part of the Dormy Care family feels appreciated every day and that this is just another way to celebrate the amazing care and service they deliver.”

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