Acorn Awards 2025: Morgan Mason, TNS

Age 27

Position Regional chef manager, TNS             

Nominator Nicole Bunting, operations manager, TNS 

Morgan Mason is redefining care catering – one plate, one resident and one heartfelt innovation at a time. As regional chef manager at TNS, Mason has turned compassion and creativity into tangible outcomes for residents, colleagues and clients alike.

Aged just 27, Mason has already secured a new multimillion-pound contract extension and helped cut catering staff turnover by 22%. His work across multiple care homes has directly improved food quality, team morale and client satisfaction. From running kitchens solo during long-term team absences to supporting Redcot Care Home with everything from daily menus to administrative tasks, Mason is known for going the extra mile to ensure standards never slip.

But it’s his pioneering approach to resident wellbeing that truly sets him apart. He’s rolled out water jellies to help hydrate dementia patients, created a calendar of events to engage residents including bake-offs and pancake flipping competitions, and launched ‘Get Mashed’ – a build-your-own mash concept that blends comfort with choice. He even transformed resident inductions into three-course dining experiences, personally sourcing fine china from charity shops to create a welcoming first night for new arrivals.

Mason also mentors struggling team members and has developed a dysphagia training course that has improved standards across the group. He has improved accessibility and dignity in dining while also driving efficiency and staff development across the board.

A chef, but also an empathetic leader, Mason is raising the bar for what care home catering can and should be.