Food at Epsom Beaumont Care Home
Each Wednesday, a bar night is hosted, where all residents and relatives are welcome to come and taste the amazing snacks and food our chef makes, and to drink some of our lovely wine whilst socialising. Despite our chefs working in the kitchen, they also take the time to visit each resident when they first arrive to find out about dietary needs, likes, dislikes and favourite foods to really make each meal time enjoyable. Please see below to see a sample of our menu:
Rostom Abidi
My name is Rostom Abidi. Over 20 years ago I moved to the UK from my home in Tunisia, where I trained as a chef in quality hotels.
My first job in the UK was as a kitchen assistant. During this time, I studied for my Level 2 and level 3 Professional Cookery Certificates. This has enabled me to progress to my current Head Chef position.
I joined Barchester in 2021 at Wimbledon Queens Court and have recently joined the team here at Epsom Beaumont.
I particularly enjoy baking and decorating cakes. I am passionate about providing good quality restaurant standard food for our residents.
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'.
