Enhancing Care Catering: A Training Day with Our Northern Head Chefs – Abbey Health Care

We had a fantastic day with our Northern head chefs of Abbey Health Care at Kendal Care Home in Cumbria, where we explored the latest innovations in care catering. The highlight of the session was hands-on training and demonstrations with Jamie Clews from MetCalfe on the new IDDSI All-in-One Care Machine—a groundbreaking addition to our kitchens and the first of its kind in the UK!

This machine is a game-changer, offering high-quality texture-modified meals while significantly saving time in the kitchen. Our chefs were impressed by its efficiency and the enhanced dining experience it promises for residents requiring IDDSI-adapted diets.

What is IDDSI and How Does It Help Our Residents?

The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) is a global framework designed to ensure safe, nutritious, and easy-to-swallow meals for people with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties). Many elderly residents in care homes struggle with chewing and swallowing, which can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, or choking risks. By following IDDSI guidelines, we can provide meals that are:

✔ Safe to swallow – reducing the risk of choking
✔ Nutritionally balanced – ensuring residents get the right nutrients
✔ Visually appealing – making mealtimes more enjoyable
✔ Consistently prepared – so every meal meets the correct texture standard

With the new IDDSI All-in-One Care Machine, our chefs can create high-quality, texture-modified meals more efficiently, ensuring that all residents receive delicious, safe, and nourishing food tailored to their needs.

Jamie also delivered an insightful talk on food waste management in the UK, shedding light on some staggering statistics. The discussion sparked valuable conversations on how we can all play a role in reducing food waste while maintaining excellent nutrition in care settings.

A big thank you to Jamie and our dedicated chefs for embracing new technologies and sustainable practices to continuously improve the dining experience in our care homes! 🍽️👏

#CareCatering #InnovationInCare #IDDSI #ElderlyNutrition #Sustainability