Food at Ashlar House Care Home
It is essential that the people we support have access to healthy food at all times, so our fantastic catering team are always on hand to prepare tasty and nutritious cuisine. Our food is always cooked to highest standard and with residents’ preferences always in mind. The importance of a balanced diet is never forgotten here, so we offer a varied menu that has something for everyone to enjoy, which you can sample below:
Rommel Masambique
I'm Rommel and I'm the Head Chef at Ashlar House.
Head Chef is the best job in the world and Ashlar House is the best care home in the world, so I am able to enjoy every day. As Head Chef I lead the kitchen team to provide delicious and nutritious meals, as well as a tasty array of cakes each day!
I meet with all new residents to find out what they like and dislike, and I also work closely with the care teams to ensure I am supporting the resident's health, diet and nutrition on an individual basis.
At mealtimes you will find me in the dining rooms, chatting with residents and managing the dining experience. I am always interested in feedback and looking to exceed resident expectations. I particularly love supporting the Activities Team with food related activities, especially Pudding Club!
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'.
