Food at Sherwood Lodge Care Home
Meet our Head Chef, Martin S
I have over 35 years of catering experience in the NHS, where I started out as an apprentice chef. I have worked as a baker, a diet chef and in general catering, and this has given me an excellent knowledge and experience in all aspects of catering. I am proud to show off these skilled I have acquired at Sherwood Lodge.
I am also the Health & Safety Champion for the home, attending regional meetings, assisting with risk assessments and carrying out regular inspections whilst promoting a positive safe culture.
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 that have difficulties in swallowing we modify the menu of the day so that it is a soft, palatable dish. To support our chefs in producing these dishes, our hospitality and Chef Academy organises theory and practical workshops. Working in partnership with Nutricia, our practical workshops involve all chefs and deputy managers learning about dysphagia and producing these modified menus. The chefs work with the chef trainer to prepare fork mashable and thick puree meals to the correct consistency, taste and presentation. The deputy managers can then ensure all modified menus served are presented correctly for our residents.
Attracting top chefs
Our chefs are recruited on the basis of an interview with the regional hospitality support team and the manager for the home. Selection also involves a practical element where potential cooks are asked to cook for and meet a panel of people living in the home. Chefs take their job extremely seriously and our annual 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'.
