Working in partnership with the care catering sector

Behind the scenes of care catering at Primrose Bank

On Wednesday, November 20th, the Marketing team at Trevor’s had the pleasure of visiting one of our valued clients, Primrose Bank, a residential care home located in Poulton Le Fylde. The purpose of the visit was to capture stunning photos and videos to highlight the exceptional food at Primrose Bank, and to interview the head chef, Aaron Watson.

Aaron is highly regarded for his expertise in care catering, having won the Care Home Chef of the Year award in 2021 after competing in the prestigious NACC competition. With over five years of experience at Primrose Bank, Aaron joined the team in 2019 and has since become an integral part of their culinary offering.

Aarons Early Career

Aaron’s passion for cooking began at a young age when he first started working in hospitality front-of-house. He later pursued formal training at a catering college, which set the foundation for his career as a chef. Throughout his career, Aaron has honed a wide range of skills, adapting them to meet the specific needs of the care catering sector. His dedication to catering for residents with specialized dietary needs, including those with dysphagia, has earned him recognition for his outstanding work in the field.

Aaron gave us an insightful look into a typical day in his role as head chef at Primrose Bank, walking us through the carefully planned meals he prepares for the residents.

Restaurant quality meals in care catering: a day at Primrose Bank

For breakfast, the residents enjoy a continental spread, complete with fresh fruits to ensure they’re getting the essential nutrients to start their day. Lunchtime is the main meal, where residents are served restaurant-style. The care catering assistants take individual orders, and Aaron and his team offer a choice of two homemade dishes. From sauces to desserts, everything is made from scratch, including the ice cream!

For the evening meal, residents can choose from sandwiches or lighter hot dishes. Throughout service, Aaron and his sous chef Nathan, ensure that they cater to varying dietary needs and preferences, making adjustments to accommodate each resident’s specific requirements so that everyone is satisfied with their meal.

On the day Trevor’s team visited, we had the opportunity to observe the lunch service and capture some great content showcasing the delicious meals being served. It was truly impressive to see the care and attention Aaron and Nathan put into preparing meals at Primrose Bank, and how they skillfully adapted dishes to meet the varying dietary needs of each resident. Watching them cater to such a wide range of requirements was a real eye-opener. This led to a conversation with Aaron about the common misconceptions surrounding care catering. Many people still hold the belief that “care food isn’t great,” but after seeing the lunch service at Primrose, we can confidently say that it is truly great! We even had the chance to taste the food ourselves, and in our opinion, it was restaurant-quality.

Further discussions with the Primrose team revealed how they occasionally elevate the dining experience for residents by offering a “fine dining” experience. This includes a special three-course meal, with dimmed lighting, music, and family guests, creating a lovely atmosphere that mimics going out for dinner—a treat many of the residents haven’t enjoyed in years. The passion Aaron and Nathan have for ensuring the residents not only eat well but also enjoy a high quality of life was truly inspiring to hear. Their dedication to making every meal an enjoyable experience really stood out.

Working with Trevors Foodservice

Finally, we had the chance to chat with Aaron about his experience working with Trevor’s Foodservice. Having been a care catering customer for three years, Aaron shared how the flexibility of our service has been invaluable to him and his team. The ability to access a wide range of products—which are always in stock—along with the fast, reliable delivery, has been a huge benefit. As a small team, they don’t have the luxury of running out to the shops for last-minute ingredients, so this level of convenience is crucial.

Aaron also highlighted how our competitive pricing allows Primrose Bank to purchase high-quality ingredients without exceeding their budget. This helps support his mission of providing exceptional meals to the residents, while keeping overheads in check. It’s clear that the partnership with Trevor’s Foodservice plays a key role in helping Aaron and his team deliver the outstanding dining experience that Primrose Bank is known for.

We had an amazing afternoon at Primrose Bank and are looking forward to attending again in the future!

If you work within the care catering sector or are a care home looking for a reliable food service wholesaler, then our team has you covered! We are here to support your specific catering needs, ensuring exceptional service and quality. Ready to transform your healthcare catering? Get in touch with us today