Care UK in the running for three Care Home Catering Awards

Care UK teams are delighted to have been shortlisted in three categories at the Care Home Catering Awards.

The organisation is a finalist in the Group Care Home Caterer of the Year category, with homes and colleagues having also been shortlisted for the prestigious awards. Llys Cyncoed, Care UK’s first home in Wales, is a finalist for the Care Home Catering Team of the Year award and Alex Millichamp, Second Chef at Chandler Court, has been shortlisted for the accolade of Chef of the Year. 

The Care Home Catering Awards recognise talent, creativity and drive in care catering and celebrate some of the sector's brightest stars in the UK and are run by Care Home Catering magazine.

Care UK’s Dining with Dignity initiative impressed the judges and secured us a spot on the shortlist for Group Care Home Caterer of the Year. Food in our care homes is tailormade to each individual residents’ tastes and any dietary needs they may have. Chefs make sure that modified foods are presented beautifully, ensuring that residents have a wonderful dining experience. Part of Dining with Dignity is to ensure that residents have as much choice as possible – for example, residents living with dementia are shown sample plates of what is on the menu, so they can make their choice by using their senses of sight and smell. All residents are involved with the planning of seasonal menus at our homes, and all their feedback is used to make improvements. 

Llys Cyncoed has been recognised for not only broadening residents’ culinary horizons but also creating a fun dining experience for everyone involved, including family members. The Head Chef and Dining Services Co-ordinator, Stuart Pelham, has been commended for creating the ‘Monthly Chef’s Forum’, which is an informal meeting and can be attended by residents and relatives alike. During the forum, those present can have their say on dishes that they’d like on the menu – recent additions from residents’ suggestions include sweet and sour chicken and crème brûlée. Stuart and his team act immediately on any feedback received and, just recently, this has led to the introduction of ‘round the world’ days, which now take place each week. So far, the catering team have created an African-inspired menu, which included a traditional fish curry, and an Italian menu, where residents were able to sample homemade ragu, ravioli and tiramisu. 

On being shortlisted for the Chef of the Year Award, Alex Millichamp 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!”

The winners will be announced during a lunch time ceremony in London on 8^th June.