Bon appetite – Edgbaston care home shortlisted for top catering award

A care home in Edgbaston is celebrating after making the shortlist at a national award ceremony. 

Care UK’s Metchley Manor, on Church Road, has been shortlisted in the Public Sector Catering Awards in the Chef of the Year category. Leading the nomination is Scott Tame, the home’s Head Chef, who joined the home in 2021. 

The Public Sector Catering Awards recognises those working in and associated with catering in the UK care sector. 

Scott has been praised for ensuring that residents dine with dignity, have plenty of choice, and are served great food that looks, tastes and is of the same standard as fine dining. 

As part of its dining experience, the home regularly hosts themed meals and events which are chosen by the residents. This recently included a Chinese inspired party complete with authentic Shanghai cuisine to celebrate the Chinese New Year, which saw residents served homemade chow mein, egg fried rice and spring rolls. 

The home also grows its own produce, with herbs and vegetables planted and looked after by residents and the team in the sensory garden, which is part of the home’s reminiscence suite for residents living with dementia. 

An advocate for minimising food waste, Scott ensures all food is utilised, even vegetable peelings which are used to enhance gravies and sauces. Under his direction, the catering team also perform their own butchery, using carcasses and bones for homemade stock for soups, sauces, casseroles, and stews. 

Commenting on the meals provided at Metchley Manor, one resident said: “I really appreciate the presentation. It makes eating much more enjoyable. If it looks good, we will give it a go even when we don’t feel that hungry.”

Scott Tame, Head Chef at Metchley Manor, said: “Whether we’re creating appetising dishes, or baking cakes for residents to enjoy with a cup of tea, we strive to make a positive impact on residents’ health and wellbeing through nutrition and hydration. 

“I’m over the moon to be shortlisted for this award – I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a win!”

Kim-Marie Newton, General Manager at Metchley Manor, added: “We’re delighted to have been shortlisted in the Chef of the Year category at this year’s Public Sector Catering Awards category. Scott and the wider catering team work incredibly hard to ensure that mealtimes are enjoyable, and that there is always a variety of tasty and nutritious meals on offer each day.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Scott, and the whole catering team at Metchley Manor. I’m so proud of what we achieve every day, and it’s fantastic that everyone’s hard work has been recognised nationally.” 

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Metchley Manor, incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The building has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.

For more information on Metchley Manor, please call Director of Community Relations Gemma Walsh on 0121 392 1629, or email gemma.walsh@careuk.com 

For more general information, please go to careuk.com/metchley-manor