A chef has shown she can handle the heat in the kitchen by winning a competition.

Viviane Takemoto, the chef manager at Haven Residential Care Home in Hatch End, went head-to-head with seven colleagues in a 90-minute cook off in the Sanctuary Care Chef of the Year Awards.

For her winning menu, she made a seafood risotto topped with pan-fried fillet of sea bass, followed by a rosemary infused pannacotta with fresh summer berries.

She said: “My menu was inspired by childhood memories and spending the summer holidays by the sea with my family.

“I also wanted to cook dishes that were well-balanced nutritionally and offer lovely soft and smooth textures, which are perfect for our care home residents.

Both dishes secured her first place in the finals, as well as a prize of £250 and a hamper from Unilever Food Solutions, which ran the contest.

Entrants were tasked with creating a main course and dessert for people in a care setting and their dishes were judged on innovation, nutrition, balance and taste.

She added: “I am so thrilled to have won first place this year, as the standard of entries from my colleagues was so high.

“I think it is so important to have competitions like this because it shows people just how hard we work. Thank you to all those who have supported me.”