Food at Hundens Park Care Home
Ensuring that each person we care for meets their nutritional and dietary requirements is a big responsibility, which is why our catering team comprises experienced chefs who can deliver a fantastic array of both delicious and nourishing food. Our chefs take into account residents' likes, dislikes and dietary requirements to create a menu that appeals to everyone. We also offer light snacks throughout the day and night to those people who just can’t get enough of our food! For a taste of what we offer, please see the example below:
Sharon Grant-Black
My name is Sharon Grant-Black. I began my career at Hundens Park in 2010 as a domestic. I then covered the odd shift in the kitchen and found a true passion for cooking for our lovely residents! I was then asked to become the second chef to which I jumped at the chance and said yes.
I completed a NVQ in professional cuisine at Darlington College. I work to the highest quality for my residents. I love cooking, visiting family, going to the beach and family time
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'.
