Food and dining

Our chef-led kitchen teams are passionate about providing high quality food for residents

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Tempting, tasty and nutritious

As we get older, eating well, the quality of food and its nutritional value and keeping our fluids topped up become even more important for health and wellbeing, especially for the more vulnerable people we care for. Our chefs create modified and fortified menu options that support these needs, and our dining experience plays an important role in enhancing residents’ quality of life.

We ensure that residents enjoy a choice of nutritious and delicious dishes at every meal, from the option of a cooked breakfast each morning through to a three-course main meal every day. The home’s chef will be one of the first people to meet your loved one when they join us. They’re keen to learn all about your loved one’s unique dietary needs and favourite foods (as well as the things they’re not so fond of) so they can plan tempting menus.

Personalisation and choice

Every aspect of living in a Care UK care home is tailored to each resident’s needs and preferences, including food and dining. When your loved one moves into a Care UK home, our professional chefs meet with them to learn about their favourite foods and dietary needs. These details are included in your loved one’s care plan, which is regularly reviewed and updated as their needs change.

Nutrition and hydration

We’re committed to helping residents to eat well and stay hydrated. Every main meal is home-cooked and freshly prepared each day. We also do our best to source fresh produce from local businesses wherever possible.

Meet our Chef teams at Care UK

Our catering teams

Care UK’s expert chefs combine creativity with an in-depth knowledge of nutrition for older people. Our head chefs work as part of their home’s management team to deliver a holistic, personalised approach to care for each resident. They are a key and highly visible member of the leadership team and can often be found in the lounges chatting to residents about food. They know each resident’s dietary and dining needs and preferences and work with clinical and care colleagues to support residents with weight management.

Our dining experience

Care UK care homes offer a dining experience that enables residents to maintain their independence and dine with dignity. Our teams support your loved one to make mealtime choices in a way that suits them best. We show residents plated meals to support them to make choices, and if one-to-one support is needed, a colleague will sit with your loved one to help them to eat at a comfortable pace.

Sample menu

Get a taste for some of the dishes our residents enjoy each day.

Our food and dining experience

Chef of the year

Each year we host our Chef of the Year competition. Talented chefs from Care UK homes across the country compete to be named 'Chef of the Year'. The winner is announced at the annual Care UK Stars awards in November.

Find out more about this year's competition and take a look at the delicious food served up by our chefs.

Chef of the Year 2024