First Ever Chef’s Table Event

Many Avery residents retain a keen interest in all things culinary, calling themselves ‘foodies’, and have requested further involvement in food and cooking related activities. 

With this in mind, in November we launched our first Chef’s Table event at Astbury Manor with the incredible support of Juliet Gallop, Home Manager and Emilio Pascucci the Head Chef. It was a day filled with a lot of excitement, engagement and creativity for all.

In the private dining room, Chef Emilio and Group Culinary Manager Simon Lawrence presented residents with a culinary table containing a variety of herbs, vegetables, edible flowers and meats from the kitchen. They were able to discuss the ingredients and stimulate their senses with the fragrance of various herbs used in cooking. Residents then chose the ingredients that would be cooked in their dish.

Whilst the chefs were busy in the kitchen crafting the food, the local butcher who supplies the home, Mr Jennings of Caversham, gave a presentation to residents about the various meats that he supplies and the history of his award-winning family butchers, which first opened in 1922. He shared a variety of pictures and photographs as he and the residents reminisced about the history of his longstanding family business.

Residents were then served their beautifully presented dishes by the food and beverage service team for their enjoyment. ‘A fantastic event with interesting information and delicious food’ was the conclusion from the residents.

Article by Davesh Kumar, Head of Hotel Services & Simon Lawrence, Group Culinary Manager, for Welcome Home Issue 8.