Care UK wins Healthcare Caterer of the Year at the Catey Awards

Care UK colleagues are celebrating after being named Healthcare Caterer of the Year at the prestigious Catey Awards. 

The Cateys recognise organisations and individuals and celebrate their exceptional talent in hospitality.

Nominated by Neel Radia, National Chairman of the NACC, this award is recognition of Care UK's commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences for residents across more than 260 care homes. It is also a celebration of the innovative approaches to nutrition, hydration and colleague development.

Over the past year, Care UK's hotel services team has led a number of initiatives to enhance residents' wellbeing through food and drink. This has included developing Next Level Tea, an innovative range of teas specially designed to retain flavour and aroma when thickened for residents living with swallowing difficulties. Created in partnership with specialist tea company Tea from The Manor, the range provides greater choice for residents requiring modified diets while supporting hydration and enjoyment at mealtimes. 

Care UK also continues to champion its Dining with Dignity approach. Working closely with residents and their families, homes create personalised menus based on individual preferences. By combining high quality ingredients with person led care, teams can ensure mealtimes remain an enjoyable and meaningful part of daily life. 

Alongside supporting residents, Care UK invests heavily in its catering colleagues. Through initiatives such as the Chef Academy and the annual Chef of the Year competition, chefs are given the opportunity to develop specialist skills in areas including modified diets, nutrition, and hospitality, while creating opportunities for career progression and recognition. 

The award also recognises Care UK's contribution to the wider care sector. Through its Open Doors programme, the organisation provides students with insight into careers in care, including catering roles, helping to inspire the next generation of care professionals. 

Jon Bicknell, Director of Food and Hotel Services at Care UK, said: “We strive to create environments where residents can live fulfilling and rewarding lives, and we know that food and drink is a huge part of that. This award reflects Care UK's ongoing commitment to delivering that high quality of care, our dedication to dining with dignity, and making sure residents’ choices and preferences are at the forefront. I am proud of our teams’ curiosity and dedication to innovation -  we will continue to lead from the front for best standards in care home catering.” 

If you'd like to take on a new challenge and join our amazing colleagues, you can view our current vacancies here: https://www.careuk.com/careers