The win for Ana Maria Nechita, Head Chef at Brabazon House Nursing Home, Sandymount marks a standout moment for the competition
Aramark Ireland is celebrating exceptional culinary talent after Ana Maria Nechita, Head Chef at Brabazon House Nursing Home in Sandymount, was named Aramark Ireland Chef of the Year 2026. Her win marks a standout moment for the competition, highlighting the creativity, precision and professionalism that define Aramark’s chefs across all sectors, including healthcare.
The final, held at TU Grangegorman, showcased an outstanding standard of cooking, with chefs delivering ambitious, finely executed dishes under pressure. Entries were judged by Michelin-starred chef Ross Lewis alongside George Smith, Lecturer at TUD and World Master Chef, who praised the depth of skill and imagination on display.
Chef Nechita impressed the judges with a refined and confident menu, featuring organic salmon with crispy skin, torched hispi cabbage, chive emulsion, bacon crumb, broccoli purée, potato hash and Goatsbridge trout caviar, followed by a beautifully balanced blackberry cheesecake with apple purée, pickled blackberry gel, honey tuile and blackberry sorbet.
Runner-up Philip Morrissey, Head Chef at IDL Jameson Cork, also delivered a standout performance with his crown-roasted Skeaghanore duck, complemented by elderflower glaze, duck-leg bon bon, duck-fat tuile and turnip purée.
Ana and Philip will now go on to represent Aramark Ireland at the Aramark International Chefs Cup in Dublin this June, showcasing the creativity, talent and professionalism of Irish chefs on the global stage.
Following the competition, Derek Reilly, Culinary Director of Culinary at Aramark Ireland & Avoca, commented:
“Chef of the Year is our flagship culinary competition, and this year’s result is particularly special. Ana is only the third woman to ever earn this title, and the first chef from one of our healthcare sites to take home the top award, a remarkable achievement that reflects both her talent and her dedication.
“The standard across the competition was exceptionally high, and it was inspiring to see such passion and creativity from all ten finalists. We are incredibly proud of Ana, Philip, and every chef who stepped into the kitchen this year. We look forward to supporting our finalists as they go on to represent Aramark Ireland at the Aramark International Chefs Cup in Dublin.”
Winner of Aramark Ireland Chef of the Year 2026, Chef Ana Maria Nechita, said:
“Winning this award is an incredible honour and a proud moment in my career. To be recognised among so many talented chefs, and to become the first winner from a healthcare site, makes this achievement even more meaningful. This competition is an opportunity to celebrate the diverse culinary talent within Aramark and the exceptional ingredients we have here in Ireland. I’m excited to take on the next challenge and represent Aramark Ireland on the international stage in Dublin.”
