Mellors Golden Whisk Final 2026!

On 9th July, the heat was well and truly on as the finalists of the 2026 Mellors Golden Whisk went head-to-head at The Cheshire Cookery School in Altrincham for an unforgettable cook-off!

Our annual Golden Whisk competition celebrates the incredible talent, creativity and passion of our 1,800 catering colleagues across Mellors, giving them the chance to step into the spotlight and compete for the ultimate Mellors Golden Whisk crown!

This year’s mouth-watering theme, “Global Kitchen,” challenged finalists to create a street-food-inspired main and dessert, inspired by flavours from around the world, that could be freshly cooked and served from our very own Tuk Truck. From bold spices to sweet treats, it was a celebration of global foodie destinations from around the globe!

Sponsored by Unilever UK, the competition showcased an amazing line-up of finalists:

• Nicola Butler – Holy Cross Catholic High School, Chorley
• Andrew Martin  – Ossett Academy, Wakefield 
• Victoria Higgins  – Sacred Heart Catholic Academy, Crosby
• Thomas Wright  – Eden Boys’ School, Preston
• Wayne Powell – City of Stoke on Trent 6th Form College

Our judging panel featured Andy Walker (Chief Operating Officer), Anna Bamber (Head of Marketing), Stuart Dale (Executive Development Chef), Lindsay Edwards (Procurement Manager) and Louise Tosh from Unilever, who had the deliciously difficult task of choosing this year’s champion.

Andy summed up the day perfectly:

“Each year, our incredibly talented team raises the bar, and this year has been no exception. It’s been an exciting competition from start to finish, packed with creativity, flavour and fun. 

“Every finalist served up outstanding dishes bursting with bold flavours, great textures and brilliant ideas, all with students at the heart of their thinking. They created meals students would be excited to eat – fun, flavour-packed, nutritious and full of colourful vegetables. Choosing a winner certainly wasn’t easy!”

The judges were taken on an incredible foodie feast, sampling mouth-watering dishes inspired by Jamaica, Korea, India, the Caribbean, Asia and Belgium. Every dish told a story, every bite was bursting with flavour, and the standards was nothing short of exceptional!

Taking the winning title was Wayne Powell from City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College, whose vibrant Indian street food-inspired menu wowed us all from the very first bite. His winning dish featured a flavour-packed Halloumi Tikka Flatbread with crunchy Asian Slaw, paired with a refreshing Kiwi and Lime Lassi that perfectly rounded things off!

Wayne showcased the versatility of his concept by creating both a delicious vegetarian halloumi option and a tender marinated chicken version, ensuring there was something for everyone. Wrapped in a soft homemade yoghurt flatbread, every mouthful was bursting with bold spices, fresh flavours and colourful, crunchy slaw – the ultimate grab-and-go dish, perfect for serving on the Tuk Truck to students.

Presentation was just as impressive. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh spring onions, chilli, squeeze of lime and served in a cleverly designed compostable takeaway box that held both the flatbread and lassi together, the dish was practical, eye-catching and ready for being served on our Tuk Truck!

The Kiwi and Lime Lassi was the perfect refreshing finale. Garnished with a fresh kiwi slice and served with a straw through the centre, it looked as good as it tasted. Creamy, fruity and zingy, it delivered a delicious balance of sweet kiwi and citrusy lime, leaving the judges wanting another sip. A fun, fresh and flavour-filled menu that truly deserved the winning crown…

Wayne shared…

Nicola Butler, Catering Manager at Holy Cross Catholic High School, Chorley said: “I would definitely recommend entering the Golden Whisk next year – it has been such a fantastic experience for me!

“My top tip for anyone thinking about entering would be to get the students involved from the very beginning. Speak to them about what foods, flavours and trends they’re loving at the moment, and don’t be afraid to let them sample your dish and share their honest feedback. After all, they’re our customers, and their opinions are invaluable!”

Congratulations to Wayne for being crowned the 2026 winner, to all the finalists— Andy, Nicola, Vicky and Tom!

Take a look at our Golden Whisk Finalists 2026: