Ideal CEO Serves Up A Surprise For Staff At Pop-Up Restaurant
Staff at Coppice Lodge residential and dementia care home in Arnold were stunned when they found out they were to be served a meal by Ideal Carehomes’ CEO Matt Lowe this week. The home had arranged a pop-up restaurant called ‘The Ritz’ for their residents and had invited Matt and Philip Raven, Director, to join them for the experience.
Staff decorated the bar area at the home with gold decorations and balloons and residents and their families donned their best frocks for the occasion. Coppice Lodge, which is operated by Ideal Carehomes, understands the importance of nutrition within the care home environment and the pop-up restaurant is another step to ensure that the dining experience at the home is first class.
The home pulled out all the stops and guests were treated to champagne on arrival. Just before the first course was due to be served, Matt and Philip declared that they had suddenly lost their appetite, suggesting that the care staff sit down to enjoy the three-course meal with residents instead! Angela Spofforth, Care Assistant at Coppice Lodge, was overwhelmed by the gesture. She said “I couldn’t believe it when Matt and Philip asked us to sit down. When I realised it meant that they were going to serve us our meal, I was speechless! It was great to spend some quality time with the residents – they had a great time and were soon ordering Matt and Philip around!”
Staff and residents were served a gourmet meal of bruschetta or pate to start, poached salmon or chicken for main and a lavish white chocolate cheesecake for dessert. Matt and Philip got into the spirit of the evening and even donned white pinnys for the event! Matt said, “It was great to be able to give something back to the care staff who work so hard in our homes. The pop-up restaurant concept is something that we are championing across all our homes. It’s great to see the positive effect it has on residents and their families, and this time, staff got to share the experience too.”
Coppice Lodge provides residential and dementia care for 64 local older people. Through a varied programme of activities, highly nutritious food and inspirational spaces, the home provides residents with person-centred care, creating aspirational lifestyle choices. After the success of ‘The Ritz’, everyone is looking forward to another pop-up restaurant once the residents have decided which theme to go for next!
