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The National Association of Care Catering (NACC) is launching a new, inspirational podcast series as part of its commitment to greater engagement and support for its membership.

The NACC Podcast Series will feature 24 professionally recorded, 30-minute episodes released every two weeks over the next 12 months and will be available via Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music. The series will showcase the diverse working environments of the Association’s members and highlight the calibre of nutritional work being carried out across the sector.

The first six episodes will form a Care Chef of the Year special, featuring interviews with key individuals associated with the competition. Guests will include current title holder Ilona Tomza and head judge Steve Munkley MBE, as the competition to win a place in this year’s grand final heats up.

Listeners will hear directly from NACC members as they share their motivations and aspirations, the challenges they face on a daily basis, opportunities for career progression, and their insights into the future of care catering.

NACC National Chairman Neel Radia said: “This year, the NACC is focusing on strengthening connections within our sector so that members can continue to learn, share and grow together. The new NACC Podcast is an important tool to highlight the many and varied opportunities for a rewarding career that the sector has to offer and to celebrate our collective dedication to raising nutritional standards for those in care.”

Sponsored by allmanhall and Unilever, the NACC Podcast will launch on 21 April 2026, with Ilona Tomza featured in the first episode.

The full programme of speakers includes:

• 21 April – Ilona Tomza, NACC Care Chef of the Year Winner 2025
• 5 May – Simon Lawrence, Avery Healthcare
• 19 May – Steve Munkley MBE, Head Judge, NACC Care Chef of the Year
• 2 June – Alison Smith, Judge, NACC Care Chef of the Year
• 16 June – Marcus Appleton, Worshipful Company of Cooks
• 30 June – James Brown, Unilever Food Solutions, Headline Sponsor
• 14 July – Anwar Kajee, County Court Care Group
• 28 July – Joanne Ankers, Abbey Healthcare
• 11 August – Noel Finnegan, Anchor Care Homes
• 25 August – Stella Stewart, Fife Council
• 8 September – Gareth Cartledge, Porthaven Care Group
• 22 September – Donna Steeden, Quantum Care
• 6 October – Paulius Kriksciunas, BUPA Care Homes
• 20 October – Andrew Mussett, Care UK
• 3 November – Richard Glover, Milford Care
• 17 November – Raymond Thomson, Barchester Care
• 1 December – Sam Sewell, Cinnamon Care Collection
• 15 December – Josh Hawker, Able Care Homes
• 29 December – Andrew Stokes, Fife Council
• 12 January – Simon Lewis, Kingsley Health Care
• 26 January – Kay Whiteside, Danforth Care Homes