Local Care Home Residents Enjoy Virtual Cruise And Live Cookery Demonstration

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Hollyfields care home in Kidderminster were treated to a virtual cruise and interactive cookery demo taking in some mocktails, exotic dishes and mystery destinations courtesy of chef, Paul Hawkins, and Lisa Richards from Unilever’s Away from Home team which supports the care sector.

Chef Paul whipped up some tasty treats in a live, interactive cookery demo.  Much to residents’ delight, the Hollyfields head chef Sarah Finch had prepared the same recipes so that residents could try all the dishes. As they pulled into each port on the cruise, residents were given clues to identify where they were visiting and then Paul created a typical dish from that country for everyone to taste.

Residents started off in Hamburg where they sampled Labskaus, a hearty dish of mashed potatoes, corned beef and beetroot served with a fried egg and pickles.  Next it was off to Rotterdam to try delicious Bittenballen or crispy Dutch Meatballs.  Finally the residents docked in Zeebrugge where they tasted Mattentaart, a traditional sweet puff pastry almond-flavoured tart.

Paul said “It was an absolute pleasure to be able to prepare these dishes for the Barchester residents and even more so because they got to taste them, despite my not being able to be there in person. Thanks to all the chefs in Barchester homes across the country who supported me to deliver this really lovely activity.”

Lucy Tomlinson, Resident Experience Manager for Barchester Healthcare, commented: “We are excited to work with our amazing partners like Unilever to bring a wide range of fantastic experiences into our homes for all to enjoy.  It was great to see the residents all enjoying the scenery from the cruise and the recipes, they were so well received.

“Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active and socially connected, providing a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities,” Lucy added.

General Manager, Sharon Herbert said: “This was a virtual cookery demo and a magical mystery tour all rolled into one, it was brilliant that our residents were able to taste the recipes as they were being prepared whilst imaging themselves on a cruise, mocktails in hand!  It was a really enjoyable – not to mention delicious – afternoon, we’re so grateful to Paul, Lisa and Unilever.”