Recipe for success, as St Thomas’ cook wins NHS Chef of the Year

Guy’s and St Thomas’ chef Nedko Rusev is officially a cut above – as he beat off competition from cooks across the country to win NHS Chef of the Year.

Known as Chef Ned, the chef manager was crowned with the prestigious national title following an intensive grand final week in York in late October.

Chef Ned had been due to compete with colleague Chef Scott Ferguson. When Scott had to withdraw for personal reasons, Ned paired up with Joe Omolo, an apprentice chef from Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, and the duo worked together to clinch the title.

Ned and Joe’s winning menu was a mouth-watering healthy combination with lots of fruit and veg. It included a Greek saganaki filo pastry with feta and caramelised blackberries to start, followed by a main course of cauliflower steak with romesco sauce, hake with cauliflower sauce and rainbow carrots. Dessert was a delicate fig sponge with mascarpone.

Judges described the hake mains as “standout — elegant, refined, and packed with flavour”.

In addition to the national title, Chef Ned also took gold for best plant-based recipe.

Chef Ned said: “I’m delighted to be NHS Chef of the Year – it’s a real honour and I’m very grateful.

"Scott and I worked hard through the heats to get this far. Even though he couldn’t take part in the final, Scott and I spoke every night of the week to fine-tune the recipes and discuss techniques.”

Chef Ned joined Guy’s and St Thomas’ in 2017. Based at St Thomas’ Hospital, he is well-known for his intricate fruit carvings which are often centrepieces for key events.

Rob Cormack, general manager of catering central services at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “Ned is a great chef, and a fantastic mentor to colleagues, encouraging and supporting them to develop their potential. He’s a real asset to our catering team and we’re thrilled he’s been named NHS Chef of the Year.”

Also competing in the grand finals representing the Trust were Razwanah Ansari and Josephine Oboh, from Harefield Hospital.