Care provider, Hamberley, is on a mission to radically change the perception of care home food by showcasing the fine dining options available to residents every day.

Hamberley Care Homes showcased the delicious and nutritious options their chefs serve at a recent event at Southampton’s Templeton Place Care Home.

Guests were served a menu of options like those offered to the residents each day, comprising three courses prepared and served in the style of gourmet cuisine normally found in a high-end restaurant.

Templeton’s Clifford McCrea, the home’s multi-award-winning head chef, said that he; sous chef, Samuel Lavell; and catering colleagues across the Hamberley group were determined to challenge the outdated reputation of care home food.

He added: “Food is an incredibly-important part of all our lives – for many residents here, it’s the highlight of their day.

“We take pride in offering options that are delicious and nutritious prepared with seasonal produce that is fresh and high quality.

“Each dish is served with pride and care, so it looks as good as it tastes, and we believe every resident should be able to enjoy exceptional dining every day.”

Hamberley Care Homes recently appointed a new head of hospitality, George Paul O’Malley, to continue enhancing the dining experience throughout the group.

He said: “Our dining experience helps promote physical health and mental wellbeing.

“By using fresh ingredients that are in season and locally sourced where possible, we’re offering food that is both healthy and enjoyable.

“Mealtimes in our homes are the perfect opportunity for residents to socialise, so the dining experience boosts the spirit and nourishes the body.

“Each Hamberley Care Home has a private dining suite where residents can invite their family and friends to share a meal, which enables them to create beautiful memories together.

“We believe by making mealtimes special every day, we can dispel people’s assumptions about food in care homes.”

As well as offering a varied menu three times a day, the chefs also work to ensure dietary requirements are met, including those in line with cultural and religious traditions.

O’Malley said: “Every resident is an individual, and we want to ensure they are eating their favourite foods and that we’re meeting all their dietary preferences and needs.

“Our chefs take the time to get to know the residents, to find out their favourite dishes and any cultural or religious considerations.

“We are determined that the residents in our homes will get to eat the meals they love and have the chance to experience delightful dishes every day on our menus.”