Head chef Linda Lidonde tells us what’s on the menu at Vida Healthcare’s Outstanding-rated Vida Court

Tell us about your background in care

I started my career in Kenya at a culinary school. At this point in my life I had not yet considered working in care. I worked in different kitchens including a five-star hotel, the African Nazarene University, where we catered for both students and the missionaries. When I moved to the UK in 2007, I worked for a holiday resort in North Wales. 

I moved to Harrogate in 2012, working at several different hotels in the region until I joined a catering agency and worked in hotels across the UK. I moved back to Harrogate in 2018 and joined Vida Healthcare. What was supposed to be a three-week cover placement working in the kitchen has become a three-year career journey. I am now head chef at Vida’s newest care home, Vida Court – it’s a place I absolutely love and I feel very lucky to have a career that I’m passionate about too.

What’s special about working in care?

It is honestly a privilege to cater for individuals who are going through a different and more difficult phase of their lives. Having previously worked in hotels where profit was often the focus, I feel I can now give back to the community and provide residents with the best-quality meals that meet their nutritional needs.

How do you vary your menu to provide choice for residents?

At Vida our menus vary depending on the season and what produce will be at its best at the time. We always keep our menus diverse and visually appealing, with the inclusion of traditional and nostalgic meals, as this is beneficial for our residents. 

In the summer we usually cook lighter dishes with a variety of fresh fruits, whereas in winter our menus may include more hearty hot meals like stews. We always ensure all our meals are both nourishing and delicious.

What does your typical menu look like?

There isn’t a typical menu at Vida; we have meals we may cook more regularly, but we ensure that everything is centred around the residents and their needs. You have to consider what they like, their texture preferences and the different colours within meals. 

How do you meet the nutritional and health needs of your residents?

Vida Healthcare is committed to providing the most nutritious meals to its residents, which is why the Vida team works in conjunction with Harrogate District Hospital to deliver regular courses via its in-house training academy, Vida Academy. These courses focus on nutrition specifically, to ensure that Vida’s residents are offered the healthiest and most nutritious meals. 

No two residents are the same, so we also work closely with team leaders and care staff to tailor our menus to each of our residents’ individual needs. Some may need to be eating more healthily, some residents need to be eating a high-calorie diet, and others, further along in their dementia journeys, may have pureed diets. We must consider all of these and provide all residents with balanced meals.

How do you cater to residents living with dementia?

When catering for residents living with dementia you have to make decisions in their best interest. It’s important to make meals as easy to consume as possible; meat should be cooked for longer so it’s softer and easier to chew and vegetables should be cut up into smaller pieces.

Presentation is also important; the meals must be presented beautifully and there shouldn’t be too much food on a plate as residents may feel overwhelmed. 

What is your most popular dish?

I recently wanted to make something different for the residents and followed a new recipe for a fish curry with coconut rice which was a winner. Mushroom and red pepper stroganoff is always a favourite too.

What’s your favourite dish?

I love baking, especially making birthday cakes for all the residents. It feels more personal and it is an opportunity to make their day special.

How do you make the dining experience special for residents and their families?

I want to make food that everyone genuinely likes and I know everyone on my team feels the same. Our meals have got to be perfect for all residents. After mealtimes I visit the houses at Vida Court to speak to carers and enable residents to see how each meal has been received. Communication is key, menus and recipes change with time and I want my cooking to be interesting and enjoyed.