12 August 2024
At Estia Health, exceptional care extends beyond meeting physical needs; it’s about enriching daily life with thoughtful details, as reflected through our carefully curated culinary philosophy.
Our chefs bring this philosophy to life in our homes, ensuring meals reflect our dedication to quality, nutrition and sparking joy through food. To maintain and enhance this commitment, our head chefs across our 75 homes participate in a unique two-day masterclass every year within their respective states. These groundbreaking sessions are more than just professional development; they are a testament to our dedication to providing wholesome, delicious meals that offer our residents a taste of home.
The passionate leadership and the infectious enthusiasm of our culinary team
Our masterclass program is a testament to our belief in continuous improvement and innovation. Conceived and led by Justin Wilshaw, Head of Hospitality & Lifestyle, Nathan Griffiths, Hospitality Development Manager, along with Executive Chefs Matthew Faux (VIC) and Aamod Sharma (SA), these sessions are designed to equip our chefs with evolving cooking methods and new techniques. The passion and love our leaders have, is truly infectious, igniting a spark in every participant. Our goal is both simple and deeply meaningful: to ensure every meal served is not only nutritious but truly enjoyable.
The first masterclass of the year recently kicked off in Sydney, NSW, setting the stage for a series of interactive, hands-on workshops. Day one is dedicated to head chefs, while day two brings together head chefs and their respective Residential Aged Care Managers. This collaborative approach fosters an environment of open discussion, troubleshooting, and knowledge sharing, ensuring that every challenge is met with collective wisdom.
Our commitment to the new Strengthened Quality Standard 6 and texture modified foods
A key focus in our 2024 masterclass is discussing the new strengthened Aged Care Quality Standard 6, which is set to be implemented in Australia in the near future. This updated standard emphasises the importance of understanding and accommodating the food and drink preferences of older individuals, recognising the significant role that dining plays in their quality of life and cultural inclusion​.
Another significant focus of this year’s masterclass is our partner in care model with our Speech pathologists and Dieticians. Laura from Plena Healthcare, National Speech Pathology Manager, and Hilda from Oscar Care Group, Acting Lead Dietician share valuable insights on creating safe texture-modified food, balancing nutrients and managing dietary restrictions. Together we ensure residents receive adequate nutrition while minimising the risk of choking or other complications.
Our chefs put these learnings into practice, with practical demonstrations that highlight the importance of both nutrition and presentation. By making sure that even texture-modified meals are visually appealing and appetising, we uphold our commitment to providing exceptional dining experiences that cater to the needs and safety of our residents.
Celebrating cultural diversity through innovative culinary practices
Innovation around cultural dishes and celebrations is another key element of our masterclasses. We strive to enhance our menu by drawing inspiration from the diverse culinary backgrounds of our residents and the popular meals enjoyed in local neighbourhoods. By integrating these cultural flavours, we create a dining experience that celebrates diversity and makes everyone feel at home.
Masterclass provides the opportunity to draw inspiration for new dishes, highlighted by our spirited ‘Mystery Box’ culinary challenge, where chefs randomly select a country and protein to craft a dish in just over an hour. This fun exercise sparks creativity and gets our chefs thinking outside the box, inspiring future menu items that delight and nourish.
Our passion for fresh, natural ingredients and nutritional excellence
Masterclass allows us to delve deeply into the heart of our culinary philosophy, reaffirming our core goals and values. Our approach centres on the meticulous selection of fresh, natural ingredients, chosen for exceptional taste, peak seasonality, and optimal nutritional benefits, with a strict no reheating policy to preserve these qualities.
Every detail of our food philosophy and masterclass is thoughtfully designed and underpinned by nutritional evidence. For example our cook-fresh philosophy which entails strictly no reheating of main meals ensures we retain 30% more crucial micro nutrients that is lost in a cook-chill process.
Masterclass provides our chefs the opportunity to explore ways to retain more of these crucial nutrients, enhancing both the flavour and health benefits of our meals. From recipes like turmeric-rich vegetarian dahl with anti-inflammatory properties to support resident well-being, to pork knuckle prepared two ways, roasted and braised, chefs understand how to cater to both residents who can enjoy regular textures and those who require texture-modified foods.
The power of dedication
Creating delicious food brings immense joy, but it also involves a profound responsibility. Our chefs are entrusted with the task of caring for vulnerable individuals, where each meal impacts their health and well-being. This responsibility is particularly significant when it comes to meeting dietary requirements and preparing texture-modified foods. Masterclass equips our chefs with the skills and knowledge to navigate these challenges, ensuring that they can deliver nutritious, safe and enjoyable meals while maintaining the highest culinary standards.
Justin, Nathan, Matthew, Aamod, and our entire team of chefs demonstrate a commitment that goes beyond standards. Their dedication reflects the passion driving Estia Health’s approach to exceptional food and resident care. Masterclass plays a crucial role in this effort, inspiring creativity, fostering collaboration and keeping our culinary standards at the forefront of the aged care industry.
