Aged care hospitality winners announced

Victorian aged care contract caterers United Hospitality and NSW aged care provider The Whiddon Group have jointly taken out the top gong for catering innovation at the OSCAR Aged Care Hospitality awards.

United Hospitality was recognised for its moulded pureed meals which replicate the look and shape of the original meals to improve appetite and presentation. The Whiddon Group won for its four new dining programs including a Dining with Dignity and Fine Dining program.

Darren Benfell, joint director of United Hospitality said the innovation was developed to meet the growing specialised needs of older people with swallowing difficulties including dysphagia.

Uniting Hospitality was nominated by Liz Jenkins, director of Deloraine Aged Care, who said the moulding process had resulted in a far more dignified presentation of meals for residents requiring vitamised food. She said residents also typically eat more using this process and appreciate the easier identification of their meals.

The other winners announced at the awards last Friday were:

• Shane Hilliard, Southern Cross Care (Vic) in the chef category
• Kate Brown, Blue Cross in the chef manager category
• Southern Cross Care (Vic) Dandenong in the facility catering service category
• Shirani Illesinghe, Monterey Blue Cross in the food service assist category
• Monica Leiva, Andrew Kerr Frail & AC Complex in the facility cleaner category
• Tita Nepomuceno, OZCare Keith Turnbull Place in the laundry category.