Victory for the Pressure Cookers in charity cook off
Staff and residents at Hampton Grove care home in Peterborough are over the moon because their fabulous Managing Director, Angela Bradford, from Barchester’s Central Division, and her team of fellow MDs have really brought home the bacon and won the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2026.
Angela’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.
Angela comments: “I am so proud of how we handled ourselves under pressure – the team name was very apt – and how we all pulled together to support each other and get the job done. The dishes we created looked amazing and were delicious if I do say so myself, I was especially proud of the Lobster Bisque! We absolutely smashed it out of the park but 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.”
General Manager of Hampton Grove care home, Stefan Lupu, adds: “We are all in awe of Chef Angela, 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 Angela visit her fundraising page at: Barchester's Charity Cook-Off 2026 | Barchester Healthcare