Radius Leads The Way In Rest Home Food Service

For immediate release
Monday 17th August 2009

Radius Leads The Way In Rest Home Food Service

New Zealand’s third largest aged care provider, Radius Residential Care is setting a new standard in rest home food service by rolling out a nationwide initiative aimed at upskilling catering staff.

It is anticipated that more than 40 food service staff working in 22 Radius Residential Care facilities nationwide will undergo future training to complete the Food Services Residential Programme, which forms the basis of the National Certificate in Hospitality Entry Skills.

“The course is the first of its kind to be initiated in the aged care sector, and Radius is leading the charge and amongst the first in the residential care organizations who has completed the programme”, says Steve Hanrahan, Chief Executive of the Hospitality Standards Institute (HSI).

A 20 hour training programme facilitated by HSI over a two month period was recently completed at Radius Hampton Court in Napier. Programme participants learned the importance of food health and safety as well as how best to prepare food for the elderly and to enhance food presentation.

“New Zealand’s Health and Disability Commissioner already sets a high standard for the production of safe and nutritious meals. But Radius is keen to develop this further and create a real understanding amongst catering personnel so they become passionate about delivering a product with creativity that pleases not just the pallate but also the eye,” says Steven Heesen, Radius Residential Care Operations Manager who is a member of the HSI' s Food Services Sector Committee and has many years experience in the hospitality sector.

Steven also acknowledges that meal times in aged care facilities are a major focal point amongst residents and something they look forward to each day.

“Radius recognizes that food quality, service and presentation are becoming more and more important with the growth and demands in our industry. The Food Services Residential course, created inconjunction with HSI, addresses the specific needs of rest homes and we feel it is important to upskill our staff to be able to deliver more choice and well presented meals to our residents”.

“The aged care industry accounts for a very large section of the hospitality industry and Radius is proud to be paving the way and setting the benchmark with this new training programme”, says Steven.

ENDS

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