Meals Means More 2025 Finalists Announced

Food has the power to nourish not just the body, but the soul – and at Meallmore, that belief sits at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’re so proud to unveil the finalists for this year’s Meals Means More 2025 competition – a showcase of culinary creativity, compassion, and care in every bite.

Taking place on Wednesday 3rd September at the City of Glasgow College, the competition brings together some of Meallmore’s most talented chefs for a day of cooking, creativity and friendly competition – all in the name of making meals more meaningful in our care homes.

The 2025 Finalists

This year’s five chefs represent care homes across Scotland, each bringing their own flair and passion to the table:

• Dan McGonigle – Kincaid House
  A Meallmore veteran of 18 years, Dan is known for his themed menus and resident events. “My favourite part of the job is interacting with the residents,” he says, “and seeing the joy food brings them.”
• Paul O’Brien – St Modans Care Home
  A returning finalist from 2024, Paul’s approach blends creativity with care, ensuring every plate served supports wellbeing and celebrates flavour.
• Robert Scott – Hilton Court
  Robert has worked with Meallmore for six years, building his culinary experience within a mental health care setting. “Helping people rebuild their confidence and independence is a privilege,” he says. “Being part of their journey through food is incredibly rewarding.”
• Dawn Thom – Crimond House
  Dawn has spent nine years with Meallmore and is passionate about making every mealtime personal. “The feedback I get from residents helps me improve what I do,” she says. “I’ve had so much support from Meallmore, and I’m proud to be part of this family.”

These chefs are already winners in our eyes, representing the passion, innovation and care that goes into every meal across our homes. Now, they’ll take the spotlight to compete in a high-energy cook-off – turning their menus into magic under pressure.

Meet the Judges

This year’s panel includes expert voices from hospitality, care and food service – each bringing a unique perspective on what makes a meal matter:

• Scott Scorer – Head Judge
  Executive Chef at Ballathie House Hotel, Scott brings 25+ years of fine dining experience. His leadership has won numerous accolades, including “Scottish Hotel of the Year” and “Executive Chef of the Year.”
• Hazel O’Rourke – Quality Director, Meallmore Ltd
  A specialist in dementia care and quality improvement, Hazel’s experience helps ensure Meallmore’s food offering remains person-centred and forward-thinking.
• Neil McDonald – Supplier Judge, Bidfood
  Neil offers an invaluable industry perspective, bringing his supply chain knowledge and passion for ingredient quality to the judging table.
• Rachel Gothard – People & Culture Director, Meallmore Ltd
  With a strong background in leadership and workplace culture, Rachel champions our people-first approach – making sure wellbeing, development and talent are always on the menu.
• Resident Judge – Kelvinside Manor
  A much-loved tradition in the competition, our resident judge plays a central role in tasting and scoring – keeping resident voice at the heart of the day.

Competition Day Schedule

Held in the state-of-the-art kitchens at City of Glasgow College, the day will follow a structured schedule filled with interviews, tastings, and culinary action:

• 10:00 – Chefs arrive and prep
• 11:30 – Judges arrive, lunch and briefing
• 12:30 – The cook-off begins
• 14:00 – Final judging
• 14:30 – Awards presentation

It’s a packed day, and guests will be treated to behind-the-scenes insights and interviews with both finalists and judges. The event will also be recorded for future sharing.

Why It Matters

The Meals Means More competition is about far more than cooking. It’s a celebration of the huge impact food has in care – from nutrition and comfort to independence and joy.

At Meallmore, we believe every mealtime should be an experience, and our Academy of Catering in Care Excellence supports that belief through dedicated training, development, and competitions like this one. It’s part of our wider commitment to raising standards and recognising the talent within our teams.

As Jody Marshall, Meallmore’s Group Hospitality Manager, puts it:

“This competition is a real celebration of the role food plays in our homes. It brings together passion, skill and creativity – and I couldn’t be prouder of our finalists. They’re an inspiration, and they’re showing just how powerful good food can be.”

What’s Next?

With the countdown now on, homes across the country are cheering for their finalists – and the kitchens are buzzing with preparation.

The competition may only last one day, but the impact of Meals Means More is felt all year round. It inspires innovation, builds confidence and – most importantly – helps us keep mealtimes joyful, nourishing and filled with meaning.

We can’t wait to see who takes home the trophy this year. Good luck to all our finalists – you’re already doing Meallmore proud.