Great food is at the heart of a happy and healthy life, especially when it comes to creating delicious and nutritious dining experiences for the residents at Howard Solomon Residential Care, with our catering team participating in the renowned Maggie Beer Foundation’s Trainer Mentor Program.

The staff at Howard Solomon had been busy behind the scenes since late 2024 to reach a significant milestone last week in hosting a five-day intensive training week with expert chefs from The Maggie Beer Foundation.

Howard Solomon’s head chef, Skye Huang, lead our team in learning from Chefs Rachel Knight and Cameron Neal. Their training is not just about improving culinary techniques or perfecting recipes— it’s about rethinking the entire dining experience for our residents -from sourcing high-quality ingredients, to preparing meals that meet nutritional standards, and that bring joy and comfort to our residents.

“Food should be an experience, not just a necessity,” said Chef Skye. “When we create meals that are full of flavour, texture and love, we’re giving residents more than just nourishment, we’re giving them dignity and delight.”

Over the course of the week, the team gained valuable insights into food presentation, texture-modified meals, and how to balance nutrition with taste with the goal of creating flavoursome dishes that appeal to a variety of palates while maintaining the warmth and familiarity of home-cooked meals

The program emphasises the importance of open communication that cultivates a stronger relationship between the chefs and the residents.

“Food is deeply personal,” said Angela Grapa, Facility Manager at Howard Solomon Residential Care. “When residents know who’s cooking for them, it turns a simple meal into a shared experience—it builds trust, joy, and a sense of belonging.”

A highlight of the week was the Residential Food Forum, held on Thursday 20th March, which brought together residents from our Consumer Advisory Group to sample the meals prepared during the training and to share their feedback.

The forum provided a valuable opportunity for our residents to share their feedback on the food and dining experience, ensuring their voices were at the heart of this initiative.

In attendance was Dr. Dylan Vaz from the Board of Masonic Care WA. With his professional expertise in dietary requirements, Dr. Vaz observed the forum and provided valuable input to ensure that the food served aligns with both nutritional standards and the preferences of our residents.

“We believe that food is medicine and the consumption of wholesome, nutrient rich food enhances the healing power of nature,” Dr Vaz said, “The Maggie Beer Foundation’s Chef-crafted recipes while nutritionally balanced, promises to tempt your taste buds providing a delicious experience with every meal.”

Over the next 12 months, our team will continue to work with The Maggie Beer Foundation through monthly follow-ups, coursework, and a professional support community to identify further opportunities for improvement.

Sharing meals is a great way to bring people together, evoke memories, and enhance overall well-being.

Stay tuned for updates on our journey as we continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we care for.