Food at Ashminster House Care Home
Our head chef aims to provide food of restaurant quality to our residents using seasonal produce for menus to ensure very high standards of flavour and service. The kitchen team at Ashminster House take account of all residents' likes and dislikes, and the menu is created to meet these and promote choice and variety. There is always a wonderful aroma coming from the kitchen and the team are happy to oblige with requests.
Dean
Dean has worked for Ashminster House since January 2014. He began as a Kitchen Assistant and with dreams of becoming the Head Chef he commenced with a NVQ to better his skills and give him the qualification required to be able to take the position. In January 2021 Dean's dreams came true and he was offered the Head Chef position which he accepted without hesitation. Dean is passionate about the role and has a great rapport with the Residents in our home.
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'.
