The award launches this year as part of the annual NAPA awards. By creating unique and memorable dining experiences, care homes have a chance of winning cash prizes plus other prizes too, including a masterclass with Michelin-starred chef Mark Sargeant.
Sylvie Silver, director at NAPA, said: “The Fine Dining Experience is an opportunity for care settings to showcase their culinary expertise. It gives chefs the chance to do something really special with the food that’s being prepared.
“Everyone can get involved, from the gardener growing the peas that are going on the table, to the activity coordinators organising entertainment, to people from the local community, who wouldn’t normally visit the home. It’s all about giving the residents a real sense of occasion, something special to do, something to look forward to.”
There are six categories and homes can either enter one or all of them:
1. Grow your own - For gardeners growing the food served at the table
2. Setting the scene - The décor used to create a wonderful setting
3. The chef’s masterpiece – The menu and its appeal to residents
4. Community connections – Getting the local community involved in the event
5. The whole home approach – Using the talents of everyone on the staff team
6. The overall fine dining challenge – A combination of all of the above
To enter, homes need to host an event between 13-20 July 2015. Each category has a cash prize of £150, as well as a bigger prize of £300 for homes that take part in the whole challenge.
Paul Wright, Development Chef for Elderly Care at Unilever Food Solutions, said: “We’re really pleased to be involved in this fantastic initiative with NAPA. It’s so important for those in care to socialise over food and experience stimulating mealtimes.
"The Fine Dining Experience provides a great opportunity for care settings to really show off how they have combined tasty food, drink and activities, and to feel proud of the wonderful experience they create.”
UFS has created activity packs and supporting materials to help care homes to put their Fine Dining Experience together, with invitations, LED tea lights and conversation starter cards to help set the scene, as well as a Fine Dining Experience apron, recipes and PR hints and tips to help care homes spread the word about their event.
To find out about Unilever Food Solutions’ support and how it can help, call 0800 7833728 (option 2).
Entries can be submitted by email, post or fax. For more details visit www.napa-activities.co.uk Care homes have until 5pm on 10 August 2015 to submit their entries. Winners will be announced at the NAPA award ceremony at NAPA’s annual gala in London on 23 September 2015.