Premium chef the cherry on top for new care home

Home news

Mar 26, 2017

A former luxury cruise liner chef is the icing on the cake of the senior team that has just been recruited by the newest care home in Sevenoaks.

With a combined 65 years of experience between them, the senior team at Weald Heights on Bourchier Close has been newly appointed ahead of the home’s opening this spring. Experienced head chef, Jayaraman Puthupanath-House, has worked in five star hotels, as well as on a cruise liner and in Malaysia.

The new 80-bed home will provide round-the-clock care services that will help generate over 100 new jobs in the area. It will provide personalised residential and nursing care, as well as specialist dementia and short term respite care for older people in Sevenoaks and beyond.

Home manager at Weald Heights, Maria Covington, is delighted to welcome a senior team with a wealth of experience. These include Geraldine La Thangue as deputy manager, Vanessa Taylor as business administrator, Jayaraman Puthupanath-House as head chef, Theresa Ford as head housekeeper, and Andrew Twiner as maintenance manager.

Commenting on the appointments, Maria said: “Weald Heights is a state-of-the-art care home and, while every design detail has been considered to provide the highest standards of care, having the right people working in the home is crucial to the overall experience of residents. I strongly believe the residents at Weald Heights should be at the heart of everything we do here, and the senior team will lead the way in ensuring care is tailored to their individual needs.

“All of the new team members are highly experienced, skilled individuals and have successful track records in their careers to date.”

Geraldine La Thangue, deputy manager, is a qualified nurse who developed her experience working in the NHS as a ward manager. As a trained nurse, Geraldine will support colleagues in developing their skills and expertise. She also aims to earn Weald Heights recognition as a leading home for dementia care.  

Jayaraman Puthupanath-House, head chef, graduated with a Masters in hospitality management and then worked on cruise liners to develop his skills. Jayaraman is committed to ensuring all residents enjoy mealtimes, and will be on hand to adapt the dining experience according to every individual’s likes and needs.

Vanessa Taylor, business administrator, has over 30 years’ experience in her role, having worked in multiple sectors, including the NHS - but is looking forward to working in a care home again. She wants to ensure the team is organised and motivated, creating an enjoyable and homely atmosphere for residents and colleagues alike.

Theresa Ford, head housekeeper, is a fully qualified housekeeper with seven years of experience under her belt. She is looking forward to building relationships with the residents and the team, and to creating a ‘home from home’ environment.

Having spent eight years previously in another care home, Andrew Twiner, maintenance manager, is extremely passionate about providing the very best care. Andrew enjoys interacting with the residents and looks forward to making a difference in their daily lives.

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives while also promoting independence, Weald Heights incorporates space for activities and includes its own cinema, beauty salon, and a coffee shop.

The ethos at Weald Heights is based on person-centred care, which means residents’ values are right at the heart of the home. The team takes the time to get to know residents to ensure everything from their lifestyle plan to their daily menu suits their unique needs and preferences.

As part of its premium offering, Weald Heights offers a customised fine dining service, allowing residents to order from a selection of dishes, delivered to their table by a hostess.

Choice, variety and luxury are built into every aspect of life at the home, which offers a combination of professional, individualised care and luxury hotel-style comfort.