NEW HEAD CHEF AT CHESTNUT LODGE IS KEEPING DINERS HAPPY

The team at Chestnut Lodge has been boosted with the arrival of a new head chef, Jithin Chacko, who has previously worked in various hotels in the Middle East and in a number of care homes in the UK.

Manager Graham Oakes said: “Since his arrival Jithin has updated the menus and introduced new tastes and foods for the residents.

“He has been very careful to keep offering traditional favourites such as roast dinners, fish and chips and faggots, and he has also added the option of Thai, Italian and German dishes which are proving very popular.

“Socialising with visitors or having a chat with other residents over a cuppa and a slice of one of Jithin’s wonderful cakes is also a regular pleasure and definitely a highlight of the day for any birthdays at Chestnut Lodge.

“People’s sense of taste and smell can change as they get older, which can affect our appetites and how much we enjoy our food, so making meals and snacks as tempting and tasty as possible is important to ensure eating stays pleasurable for our residents.

“Because aging makes our bodies less efficient at absorbing nutrients, a person’s nutritional needs change, and everyone on our team understands that consuming adequate nutrient-rich foods is key to helping our residents age well.

“Jithin’s understanding of food and culinary expertise ensure we can provide well-balanced menus that will promote muscle strength, benefit the immune system, support brain function and maintain good digestion.

“Another crucial part of Jithin’s role is making sure that Chestnut Lodge is always compliant with the relevant safety regulations, because hygiene and culinary rules are frequently updated for commercial kitchens.”

Main photo: Graham Oakes and resident Doreen Harvey enjoying one of Jithin’s cakes