Our team at
Bourley Grange

I’ve been part of the Bourley Grange team for nearly ten years. My husband is in the armed forces, so we moved around a lot, and I’d worked as a kitchen assistant for the Forces Children’s Trust in Germany before I joined the home. I’d always wanted to work in older people’s care but the forces lifestyle meant I didn’t have the opportunity. 

Every day is different when you work in a care home, but it’s always rewarding! In this role it’s important to be flexible, positive, able to multitask, and to be a good communicator. 

I enjoy making the residents and their families happy, giving them the advice and information they may need, and offering a listening ear. I also enjoy helping with activities when I can, which is always huge fun. 

When I’m not at work you might find me running, doing dancing, or taking part in different sports. I also like to unwind in front of Netflix, and with my family. 

I have more than 25 years of experience working in five-star hotels like The Dorchester Hotel in London. I’ve even catered for Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela and other celebrities and worked with celebrity chefs. Since joining the care sector, I was the Head Chef of the Royal Surrey Hospital for nine years, and I have worked in four different care homes before joining Bourley Grange.

I’m passionate about cooking for residents. It doesn’t matter how long I have been a chef, I am always excited to bring a smile to a resident’s face when they eat my food. In this role, you also need to be organised to ensure that everything is in place and the operation of the kitchen and housekeeping runs well. Happy colleagues and happy residents are my priorities.

I love every part of this job, from organising my daily tasks to cooking and ensuring residents’ nutritional needs are met. We have private dining as well as events where we bring relatives and community members into the home. This helps residents feel that even though they are living in a care home, they are still part of the community.

I’m proud when I know that residents are happy with our food. I’m also proud of my team because I know I can rely on them to produce amazing dishes for residents.

Outside of work, I enjoy looking after my two lovely dogs.