Mad hats and marvellous food

HEATHCOTE Health Aged Care marked the conclusion of the Maggie Beer Foundation Trainer Mentor Program with a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party for residents, staff and visitors last week.

The Trainer Mentor Program pairs aged care home kitchen teams with a qualified chef trainer who mentors the team to serve flavourful, nutritious food and deliver an enhanced dining experience for residents in aged care homes.

Chef trainer Michael Nam congratulated the kitchen team from Heathcote Health and said they had excelled in their efforts throughout the 12-month program.

“Real action happens when people listen and are prepared to change routines,” he said. “The staff are all unsung heroes, prepared to go the extra mile and have made a difference.

“Heathcote Health Aged Care is a home, not just a facility.

“The food is a credit, and the spread delivered for the party is standard not just something special for today.”

Head of the kitchen team, Jenny Casey, said the journey they had been on as part of the program has been and will continue to make residents’ food go from good to great.

“When we started this journey, I did not think we would achieve as much as we have and there is still more to come,” she said.

“We are very lucky to have a beautiful new kitchen to work in which has made the experience a little bit easier.

“We also have the kitchen garden to look forward to, where we can grow useable herbs, fruit and seasonable vegetables to add extra freshness and flavour to our dishes.

“We have taken on board many of Maggie’s recipes and trialled those with residents. Mostly everything we cook on site is made from scratch from fresh produce.

“The introduction of our homemade afternoon teas, sweet and savoury has been a real hit with both residents and staff.

“We have had our challenges throughout the process, but the challenges have been just a small bump in the road and great leaning points.

“We look forward in the continuation of growing further and in accomplishing bigger and better things within our team to deliver only the best for our aged care.

“I want to thank Michael for his wonderful mentorship and this whole experience. He is a big part of our team now and part of the Heathcote Health family. Without his help we would not be where we are today.

“He has not only been our trainer but most of all he has become a very dear friend for life.

“I also thank the entire catering team who have worked tirelessly throughout the program and with Karra, our leisure and lifestyle coordinator, to create our Mad Hatter’s Tea Party today.”

Following the speeches, resident Rachel expressed her appreciation and led residents and guests in a rousing rendition of For they are jolly good fellows.