96-year-old Takes on New Role as Culinary Mentor at Solihull Care Home

A 96-year-old resident has stepped back into the world of work, taking on a new role as ‘culinary mentor’ at a Solihull care home.

Blossomfield Rose, part of Macc Care Group, welcomed Malika Kottegoda, originally from Colombo, into the kitchen to assist Portuguese Head Chef Paulo Crespo in creating a series of dishes inspired by her Sri Lankan heritage.

After joining the home in 2025, Malika expressed a desire to bring the flavours of her homeland into the care setting. In her new role, she has been mentoring Paulo on generations-old recipes, introducing him to fragrant curries, traditional spices, and the preparation of jaggery – an unrefined cane sugar central to Sri Lankan cooking.

Passionate about sharing her culture, Malika said: “I never thought I’d teach a head chef how to cook, but Paulo’s a quick learner – and we have had a wonderful time making some dishes together.”

The collaboration has already influenced the home’s menus, with residents eager to try the authentic new dishes.

This initiative is part of Blossomfield Rose’s commitment to person-centred care, celebrating the individual histories and talents of its 80 residents. The home fosters a “family” atmosphere where residents are encouraged to maintain their independence and share their passions.

Timea Gulyas, Home Manager at Blossomfield Rose, said: “We want to create a family here where every individual is treated as just that – an individual. Seeing Malika share her culture and skills so vibrantly is exactly the kind of community spirit we strive for.”

Bhav Amlani, Director of Macc Care Group, said: “At Macc Care, our residents are at the heart of everything we do. If they wish to follow a passion or revisit a past hobby, we work hard to make that possible. Malika is a wonderful resident, and her story shows that with the right support, age really is just a number.”