Victory for the Pressure Cookers in Charity Cook Off

Staff and residents at Farley Garden care home in Bracknell are over the moon because their brilliant Managing Director, Duncan Edwards, from Barchester’s South West Division, and his team of fellow MDs have really brought home the bacon and won the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2026.

Duncan’s team, the Pressure Cookers, made up of Managing Directors and a Hospital Director from five of Barchester’s divisions, went head to head with members of Barchester’s Executive team, the Rolling Scones, to cook up a storm and win the coveted Cook Off crown whilst raising vital funds for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation. With money still coming in, so far the Cook Off 2026 has raised an extraordinary £53,000.

The Charitable Foundation helps connect vulnerable people and those living with a disability to community groups in their local area by providing grants to improve mobility and quality of life. Each year the Foundation distributes thousands of pounds to individuals, small community groups and charities across England, Scotland and Wales. In 2025 the Foundation achieved a donation milestone of £424,000 which enabled the charity to provide vital help to a staggering 262 small groups and charities, plus 123 individuals in one year alone.

The Pressure Cookers beat the Rolling Scones with their sensational menu which had a choice of three different starters, the judges named their Lobster Bisque with chive crème fraiche and croutons an absolute triumph. For main, there was a choice of Cod Loin with beetroot, asparagus and champ mash or homemade Sweet Potato and Chickpea Curry. For dessert, the options were White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake or Rhubarb Crumble Custard Tart and their Afternoon Tea item was a Sausage Plait with red onion chutney which the judges agreed was to die for. . Duncan comments: “I absolutely loved being a part of this, it was a fantastic team effort and I am so proud of what we all achieved, it just goes to show you can do anything when you all pull together. The dishes we created looked amazing and were delicious if I do say so myself, I was especially pleased with the incredibly moreish Sweet Potato and Chickpea Curry. The icing on the cake was the amount of money we raised thanks to the support of all our homes so I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated.”

Senior General Manager of Farley Gardens care home, Simona Cioinac, adds: “We are all in awe of Chef Duncan, is there nothing he can’t do! All of the MDs did a brilliant job and raised so much money, they are an absolute inspiration to us all. The Foundation is a cause very close to all our hearts so this is a remarkable achievement.”

To support Duncan visit his fundraising page at: Barchester's Charity Cook-Off 2026 | Barchester Healthcare

click here for more details or to contact Barchester Farley Gardens Care Home