Meet our Chefs
Michele del Monoco
Raised in Caserta Italy, Michele grew up surrounded by the finest ingredients and traditions of Southern Italy. He’s had an amazing career, including working in Sardinia, taking the position of Executive Chef in one of the Rio de Janeiro’s finest Italian restaurants and joining the world renowned kitchens at the two Michelin stared Hotel Il Pellicano in Tuscany.
Over his global career, Michele has evolved his cooking to incorporate the modern fine dining style whilst maintaining the authentic Italian concept inspired by his homeland, which is what he is now bringing to Baycroft, Orpington.
Christopher Pilgrim
Hello my name is Christopher, Head Chef for the beautiful care home Baycroft in Great Baddow.
I started my career straight away after leaving school in 1991, working in various prestigious establishments.
In 2001 I decided to return to college and study patisserie. I worked in a few famous establishments including Harrods, where I received 'The Chairman's Award For Excellence' during my role as head of pastry in the Georgian restaurant.
I founded my own company in 2007 that supplied high-quality desserts and gateaux across central Essex. I won the award of 'New Small Business' from the 'Mid Essex Business Awards' in 2009.
I left my patisserie in 2014 to spend more time with my three children. I am now with Baycroft to continue producing a standard of excellence.
AWARDS
Keith Hard
My name is Keith Hard and I am head chef of Baycroft Fairfield.
I am an experienced chef, food and beverage manager and have run my own restaurant.
During my years as a chef I have served many famous people including royalty, as sous chef at the Reform club and Executive chef at the Royal college of surgeons in London.
Now working in care I enjoy using my culinary skills to bring exciting nutritional meals to our residents.
My latest project is to bring the benefit of a whole food plant based menu to the residents of Fairfield.
Kerry Gent
I am a passionate and positive chef who beams pride and professionalism in all I do.
I have been a Head Chef for 25 years and am lucky enough to have worked in kitchens across the world including Sydney, Australia and Phuket, Thailand. I have cooked for several high-profile celebrities including Sir Elton John and Princess Diana.
My versatility has been an asset throughout my career and I have adapted to different environments having worked in hotels, gastropubs, high-end restaurants and now Baycroft. I even spent 6 months cooking at Yarlswood Detention Centre!
I have mentored students from various local colleges and won a national purple umbrella award with my last apprentice. I also earned and retained a rosette for 3 years whilst working at a busy local hotel where I trained ‘Masterchef - The Professionals’ finalist, Louisa Ellis straight from catering college.
These rewards are nothing in comparison to the feeling I get from delivering high-quality, delicious dishes to the residents of Baycroft, Kempston and seeing their smiling faces when they have enjoyed my food!
Above all, I am fanatical about cooking and want everyone to enjoy whatever dishes my team and I create!
Roderick MacNeil
I am a vastly experienced chef, ranging from fine dining to canteen service under the American military in Iraq and Afghanistan, plus a variety of restaurants and hotels in between.
It is my pleasure to use this experience to cook for the Residents in Flitwick, my aim is to provide nutritionally balanced meals using fresh ingredients.
Working with the Flitwick team to understand each resident's favorite dish, we try to give each resident something to look forward to at mealtimes, and with the events planned through the year a more enjoyable fun day and variety to their normal daily eating habits.
