A TALENTED chef at an Alloa care home could be in line for a top award.

Paul Burton, who works at Parklands, will compete in the national final of the ‘Care Cook of the Year 2015’ culinary competition that crowns the best care cook in the UK.

He hopes to put Scotland on the map when he goes head-to-head with 10 other chefs from across Britain, during a live and thrilling cook-off that will be held down south.

The 52-year-old is looking forward to battling it out in the final, after coming back triumphant from the semi-finals in Livingston.

He said: “I feel privileged, really privileged because there was a lot of good chefs in the competition there.” Paul, who learned his trade in the Royal Navy, has been working for Meallmore since October 2013.

The task of creating delicious, nutritionally balanced food, often for specific requirements, using fresh and locally sourced produce has helped him rediscover his passion for cooking.

He triumphed in the Scottish regional heat of the competition after impressing the judges with his culinary skill and knowledge.

Organised by the National Association of Care Catering (NACC), it challenges competitors to create new and exciting menus and recipes appropriate for service users in a care environment, demonstrating the culinary flair and specific skills required to ensure continued excellence in the important field of care catering.

Paul was required to produce the delicious and nutritionally balanced two-course menu, main and dessert, with a total food cost of no more than £1.50 per head based on four portions, in just 90 minutes.

He impressed the judges with the creative and mouth-watering menu of salmon and cod mille feuille followed by mango cheese cake with a mixed berry coulis.

Paul, who spent a number of years working overseas, is looking forward to taking on the final on Wednesday 10 June.

He said: “I’m not nervous, but I’m really buzzing to go down and get stuck in. I worked in England for a lot of years, I want to show people what Scotland can actually do. Scotland has never won it at all in 15 years, so hopefully my menu can stand out as the best.” Neel Radia, national chair, NACC, said: “The NACC Care Cook of the Year competition enables care cooks and chefs to showcase this knowledge and talent that the sector holds in abundance, whilst also raising the profile of this incredible and valuable sector of the industry.

“I congratulate Paul on his fantastic achievement so far in the competition. Paul is a fine example of best practice and excellence and I wish him all the very best for his preparations for the final. I very much look forward to what is sure to be a thrilling day.”