Meet the finalists for RFBI’s 2026 Cook/Chef of the Year Award

• RFBI News

Sonia Lim 15 Sep 2026

Food is about so much more than what’s on the plate. It’s about choice, connection, comfort and creating moments that bring joy to our residents.

As part of the 2026 RFBI Showcase Awards, we’re proud to celebrate two exceptional chefs who have been named finalists for the Cook/Chef of the Year Award.

This award recognises chefs and catering supervisors who consistently deliver delicious, high-quality meals, listen to resident feedback and go above and beyond to create a dining experience that meets individual needs and preferences.

Christopher Elward – RFBI Bathurst Masonic Village

Christopher has been part of RFBI since 2019 and brings a hands-on, resident-focused approach to his role as Cook/Catering Supervisor at Bathurst.

His commitment to quality is reflected in an impressive 4.5-star average food rating, with around 30 food surveys completed each month. Christopher prepares around 90% of meals in-house, using scratch cooking to deliver high-quality meals while consistently meeting the village’s $14.50 daily meal budget.

What really sets Christopher apart is the way he listens to residents and turns their feedback into action. When one resident felt the steamed vegetables lacked colour, Christopher asked what they would prefer. Their suggestion of steamed broccoli was added to the menu, with no further complaints.

He also finds creative ways to accommodate individual preferences, including preparing curried prawns for a resident who would usually only eat garden salad.

Christopher leads by example, supports and mentors new catering staff and has even travelled to other RFBI villages to share his knowledge and help colleagues strengthen their catering practices.

Paul Taggart – RFBI Moonbi Masonic Village

Paul has been part of RFBI since 2014, progressing from Hospitality Officer to Chef and then Hospitality Supervisor at Moonbi.

With an average of 460 food surveys completed each month and a 4-star average food rating, Paul and his team have demonstrated a strong commitment to listening to residents and continuously improving the dining experience.

Paul takes the time to understand residents’ individual preferences, dietary requirements and favourite meals, while bringing creativity and care to every dish. His passion for food is evident in the quality and presentation of his meals, as well as the warm and welcoming dining experience he creates for residents.

He is also a strong mentor and leader, supporting his team and sharing his expertise across RFBI. In 2026, Paul stepped outside his usual role at Moonbi to support hospitality teams at Raleigh Urunga and Coffs Harbour, helping colleagues embed strong catering practices and RFBI processes.

Paul’s commitment has also been recognised through positive feedback from residents and colleagues, with Dr Karen Abbey describing his meals as excellent and highlighting the care he takes to ensure residents receive meals they enjoy.

Celebrating our chefs

From adapting a menu based on one resident’s feedback to supporting catering teams across multiple villages, Christopher and Paul demonstrate how much care, creativity and dedication goes into every meal.

Congratulations to Christopher Elward and Paul Taggart on being named finalists for Cook/Chef of the Year. Thank you for bringing happiness, choice and exceptional service to the dining experience of our residents every day.

Want to see all of our amazing nominees and finalists? Visit our website to explore the full list of finalists across all categories of the 2026 RFBI Showcase Awards.