A former carer who admits he ‘couldn’t fry an egg’ to begin with has been crowned one of the Wales best social care chefs at the Wales Care Awards 2024.

Jake Murray, from Splott in Cardiff took home the silver honour in the Excellence in Catering category – sponsored by Harlech Foodservice.

The award is all the more amazing as the chef admitted that before switching from caring to the kitchen, he had zero cooking skills!

Jake has worked in the kitchen at the city’s Hallmark Shire Hall Luxury Care Home for eight years providing nutritious meals and menus for residents receiving nursing and dementia care at the home operated by Hallmark Luxury Care Homes.

Jake said: “I actually joined Shire Hall as a carer just over 10 years ago,” he said. “I loved the people and the relationships I built with them, but it was a very tough job emotionally.

“It’s like having 20 nannas and grandpas, you see them so much you get that family connection.

“Mealtimes were some of the best times – people who might not have had a visitor for weeks would gather and chat and the room would buzz and be really positive.

“I wanted to still have that connection to people I got through caring while also making them feel that good every day – but I couldn’t cook at all. I couldn’t even fry an egg!”

Regardless, Jake decided that the kitchen was where he wanted to be. He applied to become a kitchen assistant and joined the catering team at Shire Hall. There he learned cooking skills and trained for his NVQ under the head chef.

Today he cooks, bakes, devises themed menus, creates nutritious dishes to ensure residents are well fed and travels South Wales cooking traditional regional Welsh dishes that bring joy and happiness to Hallmark residents.

“It’s amazing,” he said. “Obviously there are certain needs the residents have to keep their strength up to fight off illnesses, but for me it’s the social impact of food that really makes a difference.

“You see people living with dementia for example tasting something and having a real positive reaction to it and it’s a fantastic feeling.

“Becoming a chef has allowed me to continue to have that relationship with the residents. I do a bit of everything and when I travel to other areas I get to cook different regional foods which is really interesting. But what matters is how it makes people feel – that’s my motivation.”

And that impact is why Jake says he sees himself staying in social care catering for the long-term.

“My partner has asked me whether I would ever consider working in a restaurant,” said Jake. ”But the truth is I wouldn’t. You don’t get the same feedback and reactions when people come in to buy a meal. Here my cooking has meaning for people and that’s what counts.”

Jake collected his award at the glittering Wales Care Awards ceremony hosted by radio and TV presenter Jason Mohammad and sponsored by Ontex Healthcare at Holland House Hotel in Cardiff.

Hospitality Servicers Manager Fred Gest was full of praise for Jake.

“As a positive thinking person, Jake is a great team player and does not shy away from taking on extra responsibilities. He is always willing to help.

“He works hard to develop all aspects of catering for our residents, from finding new ways to provide hydration to new recipes for residents with conditions like dysphagia.

“I am very proud to have Jake working as part of the team here at Shire Hall.”

Mario Kreft, chairman of Care Forum Wales, said the standard of entries 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 and 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.”