Working with Jane and IDDSI

Signature was delighted to organise its second development workshop of the year with Jane Devonshire working in conjunction with IDDSI.  Jane won MasterChef in 2016 and is now working with Signature to help develop our dining and nutrition program.  IDDSI, the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative is a framework setting standards for food quality for those residents who are unable to swallow, having been diagnosed with dysphagia.  The workshop was attended by Signature Chefs, Development Teams and a number of guest experts.

Dysphagia and Care Home Nutrition

During the morning session, Danny Silcock (Development Chef for Brakes Healthcare) demonstrated IDDSI and the mechanics of dysphagia to all delegates. Danny’s presentation covered the theory and facts around Dysphasia before he went on to perform a practical demonstration of puree methods for different food types.  Residents at Signature on a soft palette should not miss out on having their choice of food presented to the highest standards. The foods that we pureed today included Afternoon Bites, Starters and Desserts.

Afternoon Bake-Off

Our ten Chefs then took to the Kitchen, guided by Mike Oatridge (Signature Regional Head Chef) and Jane Devonshire to create Café Bites and Vegetable Cakes with the aim of ensuring that the food not only tasted great but was also highly nutritious. All dishes were received very well by the judges, and the top three Chefs were awarded prizes.

Our winners were:

Winner – Frankie Diakon-Pardieux, Coombe Hill Manor, Kale and Apple Cupcake

Silver – Terry Warren, Pembroke House, Beetroot and Ginger Brownie

Bronze – Stefan Talar, Rosebery Manor, Spinach and Pistachio cupcake.

Many thanks to all involved for a fun, interesting and (most of all) tasty day!

We are looking forward to our next workshop in October, which will concentrate on Autumnal dishes, the change of the seasons and getting ready for “Winter Warmers”.