Food at Westergate House Care Home
Our dishes here are constantly evolving, and take into account the desires of those we support, integrating seasonality into everything we prepare. Food and nutrition are at the heart of the home, so it is important that residents can enjoy a balanced diet that caters to individual dietary requirements. Whether people want to try something new and exciting, or just enjoy an old favourite, there is something for everyone on our menu. Please see below for more information:
Chris Gray Grana Priego
qualified as a chef in 1992 and served in the Royal Navy for 24 years, both in service and as a head chef. After leaving the Navy, I had an amazing experience of being able to take part in ‘MasterChef: The Professionals’ and reached the quarter finals. I have also cooked for several members of the Royal Family, including the Queen, Prince Philip on his 90th birthday and the Countess of Wessex.
As Chef here at Westergate House, I appreciate the value of mealtimes and how much they are looked forward to as a very important part of the day. I am focused on providing delicious meals that ensure complete nutrition, making good use of seasonal fruit and vegetables. Together with our exceptional kitchen team, I provide a varied menu, ensuring I listen to the residents’ choices and preferences. We love an event day, of which there are plenty of celebrations at Westergate House, and I am only too happy to cater for open days, community days, birthdays and anything else that is special. Quite often we explore different themes and enjoy preparing dishes from around the globe; different flavours and ideas which add to the spice of life. If residents and their families or friends fancy dining together, it is a pleasure to prepare for a party, lunch or celebration tea, and visitors to the home are very welcome to help themselves to tea, coffee and cake anytime.
This year I have enrolled in Barchester's renowned Chef Academy, and am enjoying the tutelage of Hospitality Development and Standards Manager, Mervyn Knights, enhancing my knowledge of cooking for residents living with dementia.
Working at Westergate House is a privilege; I am proud to be part of such a fabulous team.
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'.
