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Juniper Masterchef competition celebrates cook fresh

3 Jun 2025

It was MasterChef with an aged care twist as Juniper chefs faced off in a high-stakes cook-off for DINE Masterclass glory—watched closely by discerning customer judges and captured by a Channel 10 News crew.

Juniper’s “cook-fresh” philosophy was clearly on display as Juniper Chefs from across WA converged on Juniper’s Catering Centre in Bentley to showcase their skills, passion and creativity with food.

In collaboration with Nestlé, the exciting race-against-the-clock challenge called on the chefs to prepare one main dish and a dessert or morning tea from a fruit and vegetable stand, staples pantry and a mystery protein box revealed just moments before the cook-off began.

The dishes were judged on presentation, taste and flavour by Juniper customers Jacqueline Mitchell (a passionate cook and baker) and John Emmett (a former butler at Perth’s Government House); as well as Nestle Commercial Development Chef Elke Travers who flew over from Sydney for the event.

(L-R) Juniper chefs in action at the Masterclass competition; Customer judge Jacqueline talks to Channel 10; and Juniper Chef Will talks to journalist Grace Barlow about his team’s dish.

(L-R) Juniper Chefs explain what will be on the menu for the judges; customer judge John Emmett talks to journalist Grace Barlow about his experience in food service.

Juniper Hospitality Services Manager Kirrie Hall said the cook-off was about chef’s having fun, exploring their creativity and sharing their skills with each other.

“Food in aged care is very different to what it used to be. A lot of people now are steering away from your traditional Shepherds Pie to individually plated meals which is really amazing,” Kirrie told Ten News First journalist Grace Barlow.

With comments from the judges that included “that’s fun”, “flavour bomb” and “rockstar material”, competition was fierce to take out the honours, with winning dishes to appear on the Juniper winter menu across its Residential Aged Care Homes.

Winning group of the day were chefs Will, George and Connie with their beef taco snack; beef rib steak on a bed of roasted cauliflower puree with poached beetroot and beef jus for main; and grilled pineapple with lime mousse and toasted almond flakes for dessert.

Individual dish winners included chefs Jason, Parul & Claudio for their main dish of lamb back strap with a breadcrumb crumble and medley of vegetables and chef Nat with her coffee banoffee dessert.

The contest forms part of Juniper’s DINE (Dignity In Nutritional Excellence) program, which focuses on providing high-quality, nutritious meals tailored to the individual needs of its customers.

(L-R) Winning beef rib steak on a bed of roasted cauliflower puree with poached beetroot and beef jus for main; winning beef taco for a snack; winning individual dessert coffee banoffee; winning individual main amb back strap with a breadcrumb crumble and medley of vegetables; competing dish seafood laska & crispy noodles; competing dish dark chocolate and Milky Bar mousse with caramel core, garnished with pecan brittle, rhubarb coulis, orange tuille and candied orange.

Juniper Masterchef competition celebrates cook fresh

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