Staff and residents at Upton Bay care home in Hamworthy are celebrating their managing director, Natasha Lazovic, for stepping out of her comfort zone recently to compete in the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2024.

Natasha, from Barchester’s South division, went head-to-head with MDs from Barchester’s four other divisions.

Together, they raised £24,595 for the Barchester Charitable Foundation.

The foundation connects vulnerable people and those living with disabilities with local community groups and charities.

Each year, it distributes thousands of pounds to individuals and organisations across England, Scotland and Wales.

In 2023, the foundation reached a donation milestone of £225,000, supporting 160 small groups and charities, as well as 87 individuals.

Natasha’s ‘fabulous’ dishes for the cook off included roast chicken breast with smoked bacon mash and a wild mushroom veloute sauce, followed by sticky date and ginger sponge with caramel sauce.

Although she was narrowly beaten, Natasha was highly commended by the judges, and her division raised the highest amount for the foundation – an impressive £11,595.

Mevin Sohorye, general manager of Upton Bay care home, said: “We’re all so proud of Natasha for taking part in this challenge.

“Her dishes looked fantastic, and she raised so much for the foundation.

“We think she’s an absolute superstar!”

• barchester.com

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