A CHEF from an Ammanford care home has been handed a prestigious award.

Barry Howells, whose satisfied customers range from the Princess Royal to the regulars at the Queen Vic has been providing the same high quality service to residents at Cartref Ael y Bryn in Penybanc, where he has been head chef for just a year.

The 37-year-old scooped the silver award in the Catering in Care category, which was sponsored by Harlech Food Services, at this year's Wales Care Awards.

Shamila Yoganathan from the parent company Barleybind Ltd said: “Ael y Bryn felt they had struck gold when Barry started work there.

“Since he took over the role the standards of the kitchen have vastly improved. Barry is accustomed to high standards and this was demonstrated by his maintaining the home’s five star food and hygiene rating.”

Barry’s main responsibility is catering for the home’s 49 residents on a daily basis but he is also head chef for Barleybind and led the design of the kitchens for the company’s new home which opened in February this year.

Shamila described how the service provided at the care home now compared well with that at fine eating establishments in terms of presentation and nutritional content, and that Barry takes pleasure in meeting the individual requirements of the residents.

“Working at Ael y Bryn is very much like working in a hotel except the hours are better, and I enjoy providing the bespoke meals for the different service users," said Barry.

The award-winning chef, who lives in Nantgaredig, worked in the hotel industry for many years and it was while he was employed at a London hotel that he catered for several high-profile functions, including one for the cast of Eastenders.

While working at RAF Brawdy he prepared dinner for the Princess Royal when she visited the site.

Mario Kreft, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said there was a record number of nominations and the standard was extremely high.

“This awards ceremony is our opportunity to pay tribute and to celebrate the talent and commitment that is improving the quality of life for thousands and thousands of people throughout Wales.

“We take our hats off to them.”