Stonedale Lodge is proud to celebrate the success of Chef Manager Mark McGuffie, who has progressed to the regional finals of the #BHappie Star Chef of the Year 2026 competition, a fantastic achievement that recognises excellence, creativity, and dedication within care home catering.
Mark has been a valued member of the Stonedale Lodge team for eight years, spending the last six years as Chef Manager. Throughout his time at the home, he has consistently demonstrated a genuine passion for food and a deep commitment to enhancing residents’ daily experiences through high-quality dining.
At the heart of Mark’s work is a simple but vital focus: resident satisfaction. He takes great pride in creating meals that are not only nutritious and well-balanced, but also delicious, visually appealing, and tailored to individual preferences and dietary needs. For many residents, mealtimes are a highlight of the day, and Mark’s thoughtful approach helps ensure they are something to look forward to.
This year, Mark entered a national culinary competition made up of four challenging stages. After successfully progressing through the first two rounds, he has now secured a place in the regional finals, marking a significant milestone and a testament to his skill, creativity, and dedication to his craft.
Everyone at Stonedale Lodge is incredibly proud of Mark and fully behind him as he prepares for the next stage of the competition, with hopes of progressing to the national finals. To mark the occasion, the home will be hosting a special afternoon tea and a live stream of the awards ceremony, allowing residents, colleagues, and families to share in the excitement and show their support.
We wish Mark the very best of luck, a well-deserved achievement and a true credit to Stonedale Lodge.