Staff and residents at Prestbury Beaumont care home in Macclesfield are celebrating after managing director Alison Donaldson and her team of fellow MDs were crowned winners of the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2026.
The 'Pressure Cookers', made up of managing directors and a hospital director from five of Barchester’s divisions, went head-to-head with the executive team 'Rolling Scones' in a high-energy cook-off challenge to raise funds for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation. With donations still coming in, the event has so far raised an extraordinary £53,000 for the Foundation, which supports vulnerable people and those living with disabilities through community grants, mobility support and quality-of-life improvements across the UK.
The winning menu impressed judges with a standout Lobster Bisque with chive crème fraîche and croutons, followed by a choice of Cod Loin with beetroot, asparagus and champ mash or Sweet Potato and Chickpea Curry. Desserts included White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake or Rhubarb Crumble Custard Tart, with a Sausage Plait and red onion chutney served as the afternoon tea item.
Alison said: “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 Prestbury Beaumont care home, Sophie Kay, added: “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 the Barchester's Charity Cook-Off 2026 page.
