Food at Mount Vale Care Home
Ensuring that each person we care for meets their nutritional and dietary requirements is a big responsibility, which is why our catering team comprises experienced chefs who can deliver a fantastic array of both delicious and nourishing food. Our chefs take into account our residents likes, dislikes and dietary requirements to create a menu that appeals to everyone. We also offer light snacks throughout the day and night to those people who just can’t get enough of our food! Meals are usually served in our attractive dining rooms, but alternatively can be served in the individuals bedroom. For a taste of the food here at Mount Vale, please see our example menus below.
Danny Dixon
Hello my name is Danny. I joined Mount Vale as Head Chef in August 2021.
I have over 30 years experience being a Chef and am delighted to be working at Mount Vale to provide our wonderful residents with delicious and nutritious meals. I always ensure I plan a variety of options throughout the week - taking into consideration each residents likes and dislikes.
Myself and my team provide three meals a day including a choice of starters, mains and desserts, as well as ensuring we always have 'light bites' and cakes available to residents and visitors.
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'.
