Move over Maggie Beer! Residents at the aged care home Palm Lake Care in Deception Bay, Queensland are taking control of their own food. Residents are choosing recipes, and menus, even forming their own tasting committee.
It’s a highly collaborative process, and it’s empowering residents to have a greater say in what they want to eat, right down to how the food is cooked.
The pioneering tasting committee at Palm Lake Care has just selected recipes for a new Winter menu, and sweet tooths among the 80 residents are relieved the popular sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce is a definite inclusion.
The Deception Bay residents are working closely with their culinary team, led by respected Chef Manager Amit Jyoti, to taste a wide selection of modern Australian meals and classic favourites before carefully choosing the final recipes.
And by all accounts the program of regular feedback and evaluation is driving the team to exceed expectations.
Residents Peter and Romany Shedden say the food is outstanding: “The chef always listens to our feedback and the mild prawn curry is our absolute favourite.”
Fellow resident, Marcia McIntosh, is pleased Chef Amit always asks for her feedback.
“He goes above and beyond and knows if I am having a difficult day. A fresh sandwich full of smoked salmon, capers, cream cheese and red onion, always lifts my spirits,” she said.
“I tried his macaroni and cheese for the first time the other night – I haven’t had this since I was a child. And wow, it brought back so many special memories. That’s the thing about the food here ... it creates a full sensory experience. My advice though, the braised beef shin can’t be missed, it’s exquisite!”
This year’s Winter menu features a satisfying choice of residents’ favourites – from hearty soups to stews and mild curries – providing nourishment and comfort.
Due to popular demand, the sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce as well as perennial favourite – ice cream (with or without topping) – are menu staples.
The aroma of home cooking fills the dining room as tender meats, vegetables and spices mix.
In this homely atmosphere residents savour each bite, reminiscing about home-cooked meals from the early days – they clearly enjoy the routine and the comfort of food they’ve always known and loved.
Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) CEO Tom Symondson said maintaining high food quality was essential to enhance the health and happiness of aged care residents. “It’s wonderful to see how homes like Palm Lake Care are developing ways to involve residents in the selection and evaluation of the food they’re served,” he said. “This laser focus on continual improvement shows the sector is dedicated to enhancing food quality to ensure residents receive nutritious and enjoyable meals every day.
“We congratulate the culinary team and resident tasting committee who are working to tailor the menu to individual tastes and needs.”
Cooking has always been a joy for Chef Amit. As a child he enjoyed watching his mother cook for the whole family, a pastime which grew to become a rewarding career.
“Cooking is one thing, but love is the secret ingredient and that is what I think makes all the difference. If you love it, it will show up on the plate,” said the ACCPA (Aged and Community Care Providers Association) You are ACE! nominee. “Giving the residents responsibility and ownership that they are contributing to the menu and they have a say empowers them – it does wonders.
“We try a few new recipes and get the committee to taste it. There’s been a significant improvement in food quality in the past five to six years.”
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The Grinch might have stolen Christmas and even a computer, but he’s also won national recognition in the ACCPA You are Ace! campaign for a Tasmanian aged care May Shaw Health Centre team in Swansea thanks to a viral video, amassing 19,000 views.
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