As part of the new criteria, menus provide improved choice and flexibility for care residents and guests of different ages, mobility and dietary requirements, as well as their cultural and religious needs. There is also particular attention to fresh, local food, and health and wellbeing.
Other new menu features include:
- Incorporating celebration, theme days and national promotions (Chinese New Year, ‘Virtual Cruises’ and Hydration Week) into menus to encourage variety, fun dining and community
- Barista coffee with arte café to rival the high street
- ‘The perfect roast’ - Sunday carvery to encourage residents to spend time with friends and family
- ‘Home Comforts’ - nostalgic and classic dishes such as British roasts; Friday fish and chips; beef stew and dumplings; toad in the hole
- Cake and impulse - homemade traybakes, cookies, and shortbread
- Bistro/ restaurant - a ‘smaller restaurant experience’ with guests offered starters, mains, desserts, sides and sharing platters
- New Grab & Go range
- Weekly themes such as fish and chips/ curry night
- Themed events such as afternoon tea week, St George’s Day and Cornish Pasty week
- All day grazing options
Wilson Barrie, Caterplus managing director, commented: “The quality of food and service in retirement villages and extra care providers matters greatly, so (Caterplus has) designed an offering to rival the high street.
“Thanks to valuable input from residents during menu creation, we are confident that these new menu innovations appeal to a wide range of customer tastes and nutritional needs, and are excited to hear how home owners and residents across our sites are enjoying these new, creative menus.”
Caterplus dietitian Joana Jardim added: “As we get older, our bodies have different needs so certain nutrients become especially important for good health.
“That’s where my role comes into play, supporting Caterplus and Elior to deliver a food service that meets our specific client nutritional requirements.”