Food at Florence Court Care Home
Our wonderful team comprises nurses, carers, activities coordinators, chefs, housekeepers and more. These people are here to ensure that residents enjoy their time at the home and are supported to live life to the fullest. Meet some of our staff below:
Stephen Lewis
I have been a chef for over 35 years I started my career in hospitality by studying at Highbury College, where I achieved my City & Guilds qualification and a catering diploma.
I left college and went straight to London to work in a high end restaurant in Knightsbridge. From London, I worked abroad for a few years, including France, Italy, Switzerland and the Channel Islands.
I took the role with-in Florence court to give myself a better work life balance after working all my years to date
Dietary requirements
For residents who have difficulties swallowing, we modify the menu of the day so that the dishes are more palatable for them. To support our chefs in producing these dishes, our hospitality team and our Chef Academy organise theory and practical workshops. The chefs work with the chef trainer to prepare tasty, modified meals safely and according to IDDSI frame work. This encourages residents to eat and enjoy their food. All our chefs have been trained in IDDSI food descriptors.
Attracting top chefs
Our chefs are recruited on the basis of an interview with the regional hospitality support team and the manager of the home. Selection also involves a practical element, where potential chefs are asked to cook for and meet a panel of people living in the home. Chefs take their job extremely seriously and the annual Barchester Chef Competition sees our chefs battle it out in regional heats and then at a national final for the accolade of 'Barchester's Chef of the Year'.
