Staff and residents at Tandridge Heights care home in Oxted are celebrating after their inspirational Managing Director, Michelle Macadangdang from Barchester’s South East Division, and her team of fellow MDs won the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2026.
Pressure Cookers Triumph Over Rolling Scones
Michelle’s team, the Pressure Cookers, comprised Managing Directors and a Hospital Director from five of Barchester’s divisions. They faced off against members of Barchester’s Executive team, the Rolling Scones, in a culinary battle that secured the coveted Cook Off crown while raising vital funds for the Barchester Charitable Foundation. With donations still coming in, the Cook Off 2026 has already raised an extraordinary £53,000.
Supporting Vulnerable Communities
The Charitable Foundation connects 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, enabling it to provide vital help to 262 small groups and charities, plus 123 individuals in a single year.
A Winning Menu
The Pressure Cookers beat the Rolling Scones with a sensational menu offering a choice of three starters. The judges praised their Lobster Bisque with chive crème fraiche and croutons as an absolute triumph. For the main course, guests could choose between Cod Loin with beetroot, asparagus, and champ mash or a homemade Sweet Potato and Chickpea Curry. Dessert options included White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake or Rhubarb Crumble Custard Tart. Their Afternoon Tea item, a Sausage Plait with red onion chutney, was deemed to die for by the judges.
Team Spirit and Camaraderie
Michelle commented: “I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and many of us agreed that although we had so much work to do, the day itself was a great way to relieve stress. The sense of camaraderie and the jovial spirit were clear across both teams. There was even some light-hearted banter with a few team members trying to distract the other team, but it was all taken in good fun! A big thank you to everyone who donated and who helped organise the day. It was a brilliant team effort and an impressive amount raised.”
General Manager of Tandridge Heights care home, Subin, added: “We are all in awe of Chef Michelle—is there nothing she 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 Michelle, visit her fundraising page at: https://www.barchester.com/barchesters-charity-cook-off-2026
