Food at Sherwood Lodge Care Home
Meet our Head Chef, Joanne Belmont
My name is Joanne Belmont I am married with two children. I served 13 years in the army as a chef from 1989 to 2002, where I cooked in various locations across the world, as well as at private dinner parties for senior officers in their own homes.
From 2004 to 2018 I worked at Carnforth High School as the school cook, before leaving there in July 2018 to join the team here at Sherwood Lodge as the second chef. I have recently been appointed as the Head Chef of Sherwood Lodge and I am enjoying my new role very much.
Food and Nutrition at Sherwood Lodge
Our catering team at Sherwood Lodge consists of experienced chefs who offer only the best in nutritional and delicious food. Our chefs hold meetings with the residents on a monthly basis to discuss the likes and dislikes they may have and if there is anything specific that they wish to be included in the menu. In the summer months a few of our residents enjoy a salad which is freshly prepared with what they like. In the kitchen the chefs have lists which are updated daily with the dietary requirements and allergy's of all our residents. We also offer refreshments and snacks throughout the day and night. To get a taste of the food we serve, please see the example menus below.
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'.
