Local care home residents go head-to-head to bring back favourite recipes

Two local care homes have teamed up and joined a nationwide campaign to save traditional recipes from being forgotten.  

A poll of 2,000 adults carried out by Care UK, which operates Snowdrop House, on Baldock Street, and Mountfitchet House, on Coltsfield, found almost two-thirds (65%) of the nation no longer use family recipes that have been handed down through the generations, however, 43% of people surveyed are keen to save them.

In a bid to prevent family recipes passed down through the generations from being lost forever, Care UK has launched a free downloadable recipe book – Recipes to remember, which features recipes shared by care home residents across the UK. From food enjoyed during World War Two to quirky desserts from the 1970s, the book includes residents’ favourite foods, alongside recipes tailored to support older people by Care UK’s award-winning chefs. 

Keen to keep their recipes bubbling away for many years to come, residents from Snowdrop House and Mountfitchet House have rolled up their sleeves and donned their aprons, to show just how tasty their food favourites from the past are.  

Going head-to-head in a MasterChef-style competition, residents from both homes whipped up their best recipes, with each team hoping to be crowned the winner. Snowdrop House came out on top, with a delicious coffee cake being voted the tastiest treat.

Ann, a resident at Mountfitchet House, said: “I had a lovely afternoon reminiscing about recipes I used to cook and enjoyed showing off my baking skills.”

Viv, a resident at Snowdrop House, said: “We recreated my coffee cake, a family favourite, and it evoked many happy memories.” 

Clare Crow, Home Manager at Snowdrop House, said: “We all certainly enjoyed whipping up some treats as we welcomed Mountfitchet House into our kitchen to revisit residents’ food favourites from decades gone by.

“Food plays an important part in all of our lives, and there’s something special about the way the senses have the ability to evoke happy memories and emotions – which is why keeping old family recipes bubbling away, sharing favourite dishes with each other and trying new cuisines.”

Joanna Duke, Home Manager at Mountfitchet House, added: “We had a fantastic time visiting Snowdrop House for a thrilling cook-off!

“We’ve loved hearing all about the residents’ favourite recipes from their time growing up and through the different decades. They’ve certainly given the team food for thought when it comes to deciding what to have for dinner tonight!”

To find out more about Care UK’s Recipes to remember initiative or to download your copy of the recipe book, please visit: careuk.com/recipes-to-remember

Snowdrop House and Mountfitchet House are state-of-the-art care homes which provide full-time residential, nursing, dementia and short-term respite care. The care homes incorporate space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.