Food at Westlake House Care Home
Our dishes here are constantly evolving, and take into account the desires of those we support, integrating seasonality into everything we prepare. Food and nutrition are at the heart of the home, so it is important that residents can enjoy a balanced diet that caters to individual dietary requirements. Whether people want to try something new and exciting, or just enjoy an old favourite, there is something for everyone on our menu. Please see below for more information:
Craig Etheridge
I am the Head Chef at Westlake house. I trained as a Chef in 2008 to a Level 4 Management NVQ. I have been with Barchester since September 2022 and lead the chef and hospitality team here at Westlake House. I have a passion for Italian food and love to try new ideas and menus. I am so proud of our team, we really do provide outstanding quality food and we meet with residents regularly to ensure our menu reflects their favourite food's with a delicious nutritious varied menu. I love talking food with our residents and cooking for them and I look forward to seeing them every morning.
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'.
