A BARRY-BASED chef has proved the best on the menu for his efforts to bring culinary care to residents at a home.

Head chef Gareth Matthews picked up the prestigious gold honour in the Catering in Care category at the annual Welsh Care Awards at Cardiff City Hall on Friday, October 31.

Gareth, at the helm of the Shire Hall care home kitchen, at Overstone Court, Cardiff, was recognized for introducing candlelit dinners with soft music and good wine – impressing 98 residents and colleagues.

Gareth, 37, of Barry, said: “It is still sinking in really. It was such a surprise to get the gold. I was nominated a few years ago and got a bronze award so it feels really nice to have done even better.

“It was a fantastic evening and there were so many awards. We were towards the end so the nerves were really building by then.

“But it was good food and it was nice to have someone cook for me for a change too.”

Gareth shared the top honour with colleague Claire Wilkins, from the Hallmark Group, who run the Shire Hall.

He said: “It was nice to share it with Claire too and it feels good to get a bit of a pat on the back every now and again.

“I’ve had a few awards from within the company before but this one is all impartial and covers the whole of Wales so it is really nice to be recognised.”

He said launching the evenings ensured residents did not feel they were losing out on a normal social life.

He added: “Some cannot go out to restaurants so I decided to create the same kind of scenario here, and the cinema is converted into a restaurant. The residents and their relatives who can join them do appreciate it.”

The dad-of-three has won the company’s own top catering award three times.

Gareth was nominated by Shire Hall’s manager Karen Grapes, who said that among the changes he had introduced were a choice of cooked or continental breakfasts and a selection of pancakes.

Karen said: “The smell of the cooked breakfasts really stimulates the appetite and the residents really enjoy trying new things.

“He has put on some amazing ‘fine dining’ evenings with three-course dinners for our residents and their relatives to enjoy.”

Chairman of Care Forum Wales, Mario Kreft said there had been a record number of nominations and the standard was extremely high.

He added: “There are only winners here tonight so it is only fitting that the finalists will receive a gold, silver or bronze Wales Care Award.

“I trust that they will continue to inspire those around them as role models and encourage others to aspire to even greater heights in the months and years to come.

“This awards ceremony is our opportunity to pay tribute and to celebrate the talent and commitment that is improving the quality of life for thousands and thousands of people throughout Wales.

“We take our hats off to them.”