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The Residents Of This Care Home Really Love Their Chef, And Here Are 30 Pics Of His Dishes To Show Why
Chef Kevin works in a care home in Perthshire, Scotland, and the residents of the establishment absolutely love him. No wonder. Not only does he make dishes that look like something straight out of a Michelin-starred restaurant, but he also involves the residents in developing the menu.
The admiration for Kevin's work may have remained local if it wasn't for his younger sister Yvonne. She recently shared photos of the plates the passionate chef has prepared on the Internet and it spread all over the world.
"I am extremely proud of my big brother and we are always discussing food and recipes," Yvonne told Bored Panda. "I have recently become vegan and I work in a nursery so I am always asking him for ideas! When he shared these photos with me, I just thought, 'Wow, I need other people to see what he does.' During this strange time of the COVID-19 lockdown, care homes have had it tough and I just wanted people to see the happiness my brother brings to the residents."
The woman also wanted her brother to see how many people would appreciate what he does if they only had the chance to. And now they have. "Kevin is overwhelmed by all the positive comments that everyone has left. We both hope that his ideas and recipes will inspire others to try out new things within the kitchen," Yvonne said.
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#1
Everything On The Right Plate Is Puréed
"My brother is 42 years old with a very happy, cheerful and easy-going personality," Yvonne said. "He loves to make people laugh and is the kind of person that lights up a room when he walks into it." She added that Kevin is not just a full-time chef but a loving husband and dad to his two children as well.
"He has a busy life juggling all of this but somehow continues to bring love and passion to his cooking."
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#2
Free Standing Creme Brûlée On An Oreo Biscuit Base
Kevin became a chef in 1995, straight after leaving school. "I had been working at the local chip shop after school for a couple of years. My cousin who had just become a chef at a hotel outside my town decided he didn’t enjoy it and left. With a little encouragement from my mother, I contacted the hotel to ask if there were any jobs available (secretly knowing that there was) and unlike my cousin, found out that I actually have a passion for cooking," the chef said.
#3
Chef-Care-Home-Food-Pictures
Kevin and his wife, Heather, married in 2005. They decided to go to New Zealand on a working visa for a year-long honeymoon. There, Kevin was offered a job at a retirement home and loved every minute of it.
When the year was up and the couple had to come home, Kevin started looking for a place to work at again, and wouldn't you know it: a care home 10 miles outside his town was looking for a head chef. "The best part of working in care is the interaction with the residents," he explained. "We plan the menus together and we even have tasting sessions which is great fun (this also gives me a chance to try something different for myself and the residents)."
#4
Lasagne
The residents and their families come to the home and together with Kevin, they try out some of the new dishes from the menu. "They all have scorecards and if a new dish scores high, it goes on and if it's bad, we discuss how to change that dish to make it better. The residents always look forward to their meals and it feels good to know that they have had a lovely home-cooked meal."
The chef likes to give them the full dining experience and he puts so much effort into it, sometimes new residents even try to pay for their meal. "The smile on their face when I explain to them that it’s all been paid for. Every day is different and that’s why I love what I do."
#5
Lasagne Made With Homemade Pasta
#6
High Tea Cakes
#7
Vegetarian Wellington
#8
Mozzarella Sticks & Chilli Dip
#9
Orkney Caramel Shortbread
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago (edited)
Mmm, I love homemade Scottish shortbread. So much better than the pre-packaged kind.
#10
Strawberry Cheesecake
#11
Veg Pakora
Sethurama Iyer 5 years ago
Pakora is deep-fried vegetables (usually onions and cauliflower) in a chickpea batter. This is some good looking pakora!
#12
Mango Mousse
#13
Aubergine & Courgette Fritters With A Mint Yogurt Dip
Molly A. Block 5 years ago
courgettes are simply zucchini sliced, battered, and fried. Aubergine is an eggplant, fixed the same way.
#14
Venison And Cumberland Sauce
#15
Level 4 Pureed Meatballs
Laura Campos 5 years ago
These are heroic and creative efforts to give stroke victims and others with swallowing difficulties something pleasing and palatable to eat. Kudos to the chef!
#16
Doughnuts
Opazi Marcha 5 years ago
My grandfather used To make homemade jelly donuts. They were better than anything.
#17
High Tea Cakes
#18
Ploughman's Platter
chi-wei shen 5 years ago
Something quick and easy. I often eat a platter like this for breakfast.
#19
Chef-Care-Home-Food-Pictures
#20
Stuffed Tomato And A Therapeutic Level 4 Version
#21
Icecream Desert
#23
Full English
#24
Burns Supper
#25
Chef-Care-Home-Food-Pictures
#26
Fondant Potato
Steve Cruz 5 years ago
It's fancy for: potato. It takes quite a while to caramelize a potato slice at medium-low heat until the exterior becomes crisp. By then the interior is like baked potato. The same can be achieved with thick slices of potato -- less prep time, less food waste... and I like the skins.
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#27
Chef-Care-Home-Food-Pictures
#28
Free Standing Creme Brûlée With Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream And A Brandy Snap Disc. 1st Attempt At A Free Standing Brûlée
#29
Apple Strudal Flan And Apple Charlotte
#30
Chef-Care-Home-Food-Pictures
#33
Red Onion And Brie Tart
#34
Salmon And Scrambled Eggs
#36
Goats Cheese & Mined Pea Filo Pastry Tart
#37
Level 4 Pureed
#38
Brioche Cinnamon Swirls
#42
Braised Lamb Schnitzel With Mint Gravy & Roasters
#44
Aberdeen Butteries
Andrew Gibb 5 years ago
These are a hand held heart attack . They are like hard croissants on butter injected steroids. If you are from Aberdeen you will have felt your arteries harden with each mouthful.
#45
#48
Prawn Cocktail In A Melba Toast Basket
#52
Smoked Kipper Kedgeree
#57
Chicken Boudin
Kimberly Greenock 5 years ago
When people get older their appetite diminishes. They lose their sense of smell and a lot of elderly become malnourished. My grandfather did. We had to practically force feed him. So a small portion like this isn't strange at all. It looks lovely. Props to such a nice and caring chef.
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What do you think ?
heidi holmes 5 years ago
Seeing how much love and compassion he puts into the food he presents the residents makes me smile. And the fact that he does his best to ensure those who are on a level 4 (or puree/thickener diet for those who don't know what level 4 means) to ensure their food looks just as normal as everyone else's speaks volumes on how much he truly cares! Well done! <3
Anggi Santika 5 years ago
Yes! Level 4 here is showing level of dysphagia (trouble in swallowing) diet. It has level 0-7, 0 for pure thin liquid like water and 7 is for solid food that can be chewed. Level 4 is for thick smooth pureed food that can be eaten with spoon and thick enough that it won't fell if you scoope it with fork. My husband was at level 2... Smooth liquid that can goes through gastric tube like soup. It's hard to make dysphagia diet food from level 0 to 4, palatable..everything look like baby food. Kudos for the chef!
Load More Replies...
Hilary Rudd 5 years ago
I have worked it care homes for many years and nothing has ever come up to this standard especially the soft diet !! Well done!!
Rose the Cook 5 years ago
Great chef and great dishes but can't help looking at the ingredients and wondering what his budget is, how many kitchen staff he has and how much the residents pay to stay there? It certainly puts Australian aged care establishments to shame..
Thinairgal 5 years ago
My questions, too, especially considering the incredible variety. Also wondering how many residents he cooks for. Whatever the logistics, I'm impressed.
Load More Replies...
Kitty Bermuda 5 years ago
This is joyful cooking. I know the residents there are happy and I'm good spirits. May he be blessed.
Patti Vance 5 years ago
i love this. my mom was in a facility and while their food was pretty tasty it was not presented in any special way. as she declined she began to not eat well. eventually, she would call me for chicken nuggets and strawberry shake as she said the food didn't appeal to her. had it been presented like these i would like to think that she would have been encouraged to eat better than having her last meal be nuggets.
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 5 years ago
Awww no photo with the residents??? Come on! I need to see some love!
Sori 5 years ago
LOL, my hubby came back from Scotland after getting to go with the navy two years ago and said that he has a new appreciation of what can be fried! As an American of color he said the people there were so welcoming and how cool their navy was.
Load More Replies... Steve Cruz 5 years ago
FOOD is so often a demeaning experience when institutionalized. He really improves the quality of life for residents.
Sancho Cruz 5 years ago
Any person that shows great great respect to elders is tops. Kids nowadays do not respect elders nor their own parents. This guy is awesome as hell. The way some care homes do barely bare minimum. This man will have a great fortunate life,because of his ways he figured out life. For your gifts to these wonderful older people thank-you. Any one who has older family members and takes of them the right way- understand how the little things mean so much to them. Helps in so many ways. Yes his plates are beautiful it does not cost an arm/leg to create as long as you have a blender you can handle it. I hope he makes a cook book! That will get younger people into cooking and being around their elders a great way communicate with them. Amazing food and his love and respect is what I needed to see
Yeah, you heard 5 years ago
This chef has such dedication and care for the old folks, especially the way he makes the pureed food still look like food for an adult. Meal times must be a joy for his residents. I hope more care home chefs follow his wonderful example! ❤
Caryn Zent 5 years ago
After seeing the food when my Mom was in a care home, this is just fantastic
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
This makes me really happy for some reason. The chef is pouring a lot of love into the food he cooks while still taking into account some of the residents' dietary restrictions. I even how he still tried to present the food in a pleasing manner despite having to puree it. While a lot of traditional food from the UK is not the most "appealing" looks wise, it is comforting and hearty. Many of these dishes probably remind the residents of things they ate when they were growing up.
Eliana Hailu 5 years ago
This is the best food Iv'e ever seen being made. It's making me hungry! Great Job!!!
Courtney Christelle 5 years ago
Wow. I wish more cooks would put this level of effort into their food. I can see why the residents love him.
John Lyttle 5 years ago
All of it looks fantastic and I can't believe I'm going to say this: particularly the pureed meals. What a guy.
Denise Mclean 5 years ago
There just couldn't be a better diner for the residents and chef too ! I'm so glad he makes it special for them. They deserve it !
I I 5 years ago
Well done , i hear some right horror stories about the food in UK nursing homes , they feed them the cheapest option they can , it's it's disgusting how they treat them in some places , well done for making them look forward to a meal time and not dread it
Lydia Belt 5 years ago
In the USA they cut the state's budget and gave gelatin instead of pies, discouraged milk. When I was a student the money allocated for meals was the same 15 years later.
Load More Replies...
Chris DiFonso 5 years ago
These look delicious! I am now going to clean the drool from my mouth and chin...
Patti Vance 5 years ago
i wish more rehab/nursing homes would take the time to do this for their residents. when my mom was in one i can't say the food wasn't good; it was. it was served home style. but, i saw her and some others just not interested in eating well. if it looks good it appeals to the appetite.
Dorothy Parker 5 years ago
What a fine dedicated chef he is. I enjoyed the visit to Scotland through his cooking.
Jémie Culp 5 years ago
I think this is great. I bet he is well loved by the residents and their families. I hope he continues to work there for a very, very long time. :)
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
The reality is that so called "age related diseases" - arthritis, diabetes, heart diseases/ clogged arteries, failed organs (for example kidneys, liver), and various cancers - have nothing to do with aging. I appreciate that Chef Kevin made at least a few vegetarian dishes. The fact is that whole plant-based (Vegan) diet actually, not only prevents, but also REVERSES chronic, painful inflammations and diseases in human body. A real culinary expert is a chef who can create healthy food which tastes great and does NOT sabotage our body's ability to protect and heal itself !!!!
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
That's an incredibly simplified and inaccurate view on nutrition.
Load More Replies...
Nicky OldfieldDesciple 5 years ago
Kevin is just as kind and thoughtful as he is talented and he is extremely talented. The love and care he has put in to each of his meals is amazing. He obviously believes that the residents deserve all the love care and respect they all justifiably deserve and he shows this on every plate. He is such a wonderful and beautiful person.
heidi holmes 5 years ago
Seeing how much love and compassion he puts into the food he presents the residents makes me smile. And the fact that he does his best to ensure those who are on a level 4 (or puree/thickener diet for those who don't know what level 4 means) to ensure their food looks just as normal as everyone else's speaks volumes on how much he truly cares! Well done! <3
Anggi Santika 5 years ago
Yes! Level 4 here is showing level of dysphagia (trouble in swallowing) diet. It has level 0-7, 0 for pure thin liquid like water and 7 is for solid food that can be chewed. Level 4 is for thick smooth pureed food that can be eaten with spoon and thick enough that it won't fell if you scoope it with fork. My husband was at level 2... Smooth liquid that can goes through gastric tube like soup. It's hard to make dysphagia diet food from level 0 to 4, palatable..everything look like baby food. Kudos for the chef!
Load More Replies... Hilary Rudd 5 years ago
I have worked it care homes for many years and nothing has ever come up to this standard especially the soft diet !! Well done!!
Rose the Cook 5 years ago
Great chef and great dishes but can't help looking at the ingredients and wondering what his budget is, how many kitchen staff he has and how much the residents pay to stay there? It certainly puts Australian aged care establishments to shame..
Thinairgal 5 years ago
My questions, too, especially considering the incredible variety. Also wondering how many residents he cooks for. Whatever the logistics, I'm impressed.
Load More Replies... Kitty Bermuda 5 years ago
This is joyful cooking. I know the residents there are happy and I'm good spirits. May he be blessed.
Patti Vance 5 years ago
i love this. my mom was in a facility and while their food was pretty tasty it was not presented in any special way. as she declined she began to not eat well. eventually, she would call me for chicken nuggets and strawberry shake as she said the food didn't appeal to her. had it been presented like these i would like to think that she would have been encouraged to eat better than having her last meal be nuggets.
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 5 years ago
Awww no photo with the residents??? Come on! I need to see some love!
Sori 5 years ago
LOL, my hubby came back from Scotland after getting to go with the navy two years ago and said that he has a new appreciation of what can be fried! As an American of color he said the people there were so welcoming and how cool their navy was.
Load More Replies... Steve Cruz 5 years ago
FOOD is so often a demeaning experience when institutionalized. He really improves the quality of life for residents.
Sancho Cruz 5 years ago
Any person that shows great great respect to elders is tops. Kids nowadays do not respect elders nor their own parents. This guy is awesome as hell. The way some care homes do barely bare minimum. This man will have a great fortunate life,because of his ways he figured out life. For your gifts to these wonderful older people thank-you. Any one who has older family members and takes of them the right way- understand how the little things mean so much to them. Helps in so many ways. Yes his plates are beautiful it does not cost an arm/leg to create as long as you have a blender you can handle it. I hope he makes a cook book! That will get younger people into cooking and being around their elders a great way communicate with them. Amazing food and his love and respect is what I needed to see
Yeah, you heard 5 years ago
This chef has such dedication and care for the old folks, especially the way he makes the pureed food still look like food for an adult. Meal times must be a joy for his residents. I hope more care home chefs follow his wonderful example! ❤
Caryn Zent 5 years ago
After seeing the food when my Mom was in a care home, this is just fantastic
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
This makes me really happy for some reason. The chef is pouring a lot of love into the food he cooks while still taking into account some of the residents' dietary restrictions. I even how he still tried to present the food in a pleasing manner despite having to puree it. While a lot of traditional food from the UK is not the most "appealing" looks wise, it is comforting and hearty. Many of these dishes probably remind the residents of things they ate when they were growing up.
Eliana Hailu 5 years ago
This is the best food Iv'e ever seen being made. It's making me hungry! Great Job!!!
Courtney Christelle 5 years ago
Wow. I wish more cooks would put this level of effort into their food. I can see why the residents love him.
John Lyttle 5 years ago
All of it looks fantastic and I can't believe I'm going to say this: particularly the pureed meals. What a guy.
Denise Mclean 5 years ago
There just couldn't be a better diner for the residents and chef too ! I'm so glad he makes it special for them. They deserve it !
I I 5 years ago
Well done , i hear some right horror stories about the food in UK nursing homes , they feed them the cheapest option they can , it's it's disgusting how they treat them in some places , well done for making them look forward to a meal time and not dread it
Lydia Belt 5 years ago
In the USA they cut the state's budget and gave gelatin instead of pies, discouraged milk. When I was a student the money allocated for meals was the same 15 years later.
Load More Replies... Chris DiFonso 5 years ago
These look delicious! I am now going to clean the drool from my mouth and chin...
Patti Vance 5 years ago
i wish more rehab/nursing homes would take the time to do this for their residents. when my mom was in one i can't say the food wasn't good; it was. it was served home style. but, i saw her and some others just not interested in eating well. if it looks good it appeals to the appetite.
Dorothy Parker 5 years ago
What a fine dedicated chef he is. I enjoyed the visit to Scotland through his cooking.
Jémie Culp 5 years ago
I think this is great. I bet he is well loved by the residents and their families. I hope he continues to work there for a very, very long time. :)
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
The reality is that so called "age related diseases" - arthritis, diabetes, heart diseases/ clogged arteries, failed organs (for example kidneys, liver), and various cancers - have nothing to do with aging. I appreciate that Chef Kevin made at least a few vegetarian dishes. The fact is that whole plant-based (Vegan) diet actually, not only prevents, but also REVERSES chronic, painful inflammations and diseases in human body. A real culinary expert is a chef who can create healthy food which tastes great and does NOT sabotage our body's ability to protect and heal itself !!!!
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
That's an incredibly simplified and inaccurate view on nutrition.
Load More Replies... Nicky OldfieldDesciple 5 years ago
Kevin is just as kind and thoughtful as he is talented and he is extremely talented. The love and care he has put in to each of his meals is amazing. He obviously believes that the residents deserve all the love care and respect they all justifiably deserve and he shows this on every plate. He is such a wonderful and beautiful person.
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