When providing services in the aged care industry, catering companies focus on the most important aspects of their servicesby way of providing and servicing of their equipment through a maintenance program.
People of all ages and from all multiple cultures, especially the elderly, are very food driven. Oftentimes, depending on an individual’s health and mobility status, the capacity to still enjoy flavorful foods and the dining experience, itself are the highlight of the day.
Aged Care Catering Companies Australia typically follows some form of their own guidelines in dealing with their aged care clients.
Menu Planning
Having the proper planning and equipment in place is vital in the first place.It is imperative that the kitchen design is carefully planned in order to maximize the food production, while also maintaining the food’s wholesomeness.
For their aged care facilities, there are various aspects that go into menu planning. This do not only involve palatable options for an array of preferences for the residents, but also the nutritional aspects, the food safety and HACCP compliance; all of which are important.
Food Production
Food production and the process of transforming the assorted food items into a meal can basically be separated into two primary systems, ‘cook chill’ and ‘cook fresh’.
The elderly generations enjoy stews, roasts, custards and puddings, so being able to offer variations will provide excellent care and services. These two main systems mentioned are ‘cook fresh’ and ‘cook chill’.
Cook Fresh /Cook chill
The ‘cook fresh’ method is when aged care facilities have kitchens operating daily, seven days a week. This is to be able to in order to provide nutritional food choices to the residents. When used conjunction with the ‘cook chill’ method, the shelf life is increased, making it both more economical.
This also frees up the kitchen hours to focus on other aspects of marketing and growth potential.
The ‘cook chill’ method allows for a high-volume production of freshly prepared food items to be put through a process of rapid chill. This increases the shelf-life for a minimum of five days (and to as much as 28 days) with no significant impact on the nutritional properties of the food.
In-house
The in-house catering solutions may just be the easiest way for administrations to feed their residents, although there are also other equally-goodsalternatives available.
The aged care catering companies that take a special interest in the quality of their food often have extensive experience in providing tailored menus to meet the specific dietary needs and preferences of residents.
The menus go beyond those designed by dietitians. There are also some seasonal menus offered. This helps ensure that every one of the residents are receiving the nutrition they need, and in a form that’s enjoyable to them.
Fastand easy
For chefs, compliance work is expensive, time consuming and sometimes complicated. Maintaining compliance in any area of operations requires expensive time and effort.
With pressing concerns like medical and living standards, catering compliance sometimes risks itself of falling by the wayside. With these difficulties, it sometimes is easier not to follow.
More advantages
There is a big advantage to partner with a resident-focused catering company. An outsourced catering partner will care for your catering compliance from beginning to end, freeing up your staff to focus on their core duties.
With a truly food focused catering partner, your administration can rest easy knowing that their passion for food ensures that there’s no chance of any corner-cutting.
Cost-effectiveness
It is important to consider the heart and culture of your potential catering partner before committing to a partnership. A quick and easy catering solution from an en-masse caterer may be cost effective.
However, it does not compare to the real-world benefits of a caterer who is genuinely passionate about the quality of their food. You would need to choose your partner regarding his passion alongside with the quality of food you create.
Investing on the dining experience
Depending on how extensive the catering solution is, the residents could be spending up to six meals a day around the dining table.
With residents spending so much time in a single room, it’s important that your aged care catering provider invests in making this the best dining experience possible for the sake of their well-being.
There’s far more that goes into creating a positive dining room experience for your aged care residents than just a high-quality diet or nutritional support. Your residents will spend so much time each day sitting in their dining area that it becomes a permanent fixture of their day-to-day as well as a major hub for their social lives.
Atmosphere
The important factor for your dining area is the overall atmosphere and can be achieved with styling. Studies (Lowndes et al, 2015) have shown that utilitarian cafeteria servings were uninspiring and unappealing to residents.
On the other hand, open-access buffet-style serveries increased resident engagement and enjoyment – all of this while serving as a social focal point.
Sights and sounds
In the catering process, catering companies do another extra: that of controlling the flow of
sounds and aroma. Both can act as part of the culinary experience, including well beyond the look of the interior design.
Studies have shown that residents who have their food prepared in an attached area where they can hear and smell it being prepared are more likely to be regarded as appetizing. Moreover, residents tend to be more likely to finish their food.
Catering companies have layouts that expose the sights, sounds, and smells of the chefs at work. It had been proven to go a long way to making the food at mealtimes far more appealing.
Good food, good company
Undoubtedly the most important part of your residents’ dining experience is that of their social experience. Your dining area is an area of the residential facility that your residents are likely to spend more time in than anywhere else.
For the catering companies, the dining area is going to become the de facto social hub of the facility. The facility’s dining area design would need to be as inviting and social as possible.