Food at Wadhurst Manor Care Home
We understand that food is vital to the health and well-being of those we support. Our trained chefs are passionate about creating food that is delicious, nutritious, nourishes the body and soul, and tailored to personal tastes.
Our catering team work very closely with the care staff to support our residents who need specialist diets. They also enjoy displaying their expertise by providing beautiful home-made cakes and biscuits on a daily basis not just for special occasions such as birthdays and celebratory days such as Christmas, Halloween and Easter. Our team visit the residents and join in with the residents meetings to have the opportunity to listen to our residents opinions and ideas. As we are a 24 hour care setting there is always an opportunity to have a snack at whatever time of day. To get an idea of the range of choice we offer please see the examples below.
Joanne Mallion
Hi, I am Jo and I am the Head Chef at Wadhurst Manor. I have been working here since 2011. I am passionate about cooking freshly home cooked food for our lovely residents. I also enjoy discussing with the residents what meals they would like to have and receive on our seasonal menus.
I have lived in Wadhurst for over 50 years and I love living in this town which was voted the best place to live in the UK in 2023.
In my spare time I like being with my grandchildren and taking my dog out for a walk in the countryside.
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'.
