Feeding the Soul
Pennwood has had a long commitment to a culture of fabulous food. Pennwood understands that good food is essential to health, quality of life and human dignity, has been expressed in the design of our buildings, approach to care, training of staff and thought leadership. The smells, sounds and sights of cooking tempt even the most reluctant diner.
The main characteristics of Pennwood’s approach to food service are:
- Freshly cooked food
- Small home-like kitchens
- Increased choice for residents
- Engagement in the meal preparation process
- Residents are encouraged to grow herbs and fresh vegetables
Our head cook works alongside dietitians, dementia consultants and speech pathologists who work together to help ensure food and dining at Pennwood is a memorable and nutritious experience.
Food is a very important part of any culture. Serbians love to cook for their family, friends and special events. We serve our main meal at lunchtime.
Pennwood’s BBQ day is a popular event where we serve traditional Chevapchichi, marinated chicken and sausages which is accompanied by potato salad, grated cabbage dressed with salt, oil and vinegar.
Fasting Days
Some cultures have fasting days which are respected in our menu planning which is checked by a dietician. On these days no animal products including meat and eggs are eaten. On Religious feasts such as our Slava Day a special menu is provided a typical example would be:
- homemade bread, walnuts and wheat paste
- homemade chicken soup with noodles
- sauerkraut and cabbage rolls (sarma) or stuffed capsicum,
- pork on a spit,
- cheese pie (pita)
- selection of small homemade cakes with Serbian black coffee
- shot of Sljivovica (plum brandy) or a red wine is popular with the meal
Cooking exhibition
Outdoor seating
Pig on Spit
Herb Garden – done
Dietary needs and preferences are established on entry and monitored through the care reviews.
Each house displays menu boards which provide residents with information on what is being served on any specific day. The day prior, staff take each resident’s meal order for the following day and forwarded to the kitchen.
Local council carry out Annual Food Safety Plans to ensure services are up to standard.
Satisfaction surveys on residents likes and dislikes are carried out annually. The feedback process indicates that there is a high rate of satisfaction with the choice and quality of meals.
Information about Gastroenteritis and Information and guidelines for Families on special diets and bringing food into the facility can be found in the Admission Pack.
Links
- Don’t give me eggs that bounce: 118 cracking recipes for people with Alzheimer’s
- Peter Morgan-Jones on his experiences at Tasting Australia
- Improving food culture in aged care: how and why
- Cooking for kings and queens: a celebrity chef comes for dinner
- HammondCare’s new Executive Chef plans to be ‘catalyst for change’