Food at Woodside House Care Home
Food and Nutrition at Woodside House
Ensuring that we meet the nutritional and dietary requirements for each of our residents is a big responsibility, which is why our catering team take into account all our residents likes, dislikes and dietary requirements to create a menu that appeals to everyone and offers both delicious and nourishing food. An alternative menu is also available to ensure everyone enjoys their meal. Our Catering Team love creating cakes and other treats for any special occasions to make them that little bit sweeter. We also offer snacks throughout the day and night to those people who just can’t get enough of our food! For a taste of what we offer, please see the example below.
Kimberley Cooper
My name is Kim and I am proud to run the kitchen team here at Woodside House.
I am responsible for providing a top class dining experience and ensuring that the menus reflect the high standards that every resident should enjoy. I am constantly speaking with residents to find out what foods they prefer, the way they like things presented and how I can make every meal a great experience.
Working with the care staff to ensure each resident's unique dietary requirements are met, is just one of the ways that my kitchen team support the health and well-being of our residents. I spend time with each new resident to ensure that my team and I are aware of their preferences and favourites when they first move in to Woodside.
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'.
