When people think about aged care, they often think of nurses and carers. Hospitality teams are less visible but play an important role in shaping residents’ daily lives, with every meal an opportunity to provide nourishment, encourage social connection and create moments of comfort and joy.
For Roy, Regional Hospitality Services Specialist at Regis, great hospitality starts long before a meal reaches the table.
Working across Regis Homes, Roy mentors chef managers, delivers practical training and works alongside teams to build confidence, solve problems and create dining experiences that put residents first.
Hospitality starts with relationships
For Roy, one of the most important parts of a chef’s role happens outside the kitchen, when team members take the time to introduce themselves to residents and build genuine relationships with the people they’re cooking for.
“Food tastes better when you know who’s cooking it,” he said.
Those conversations help hospitality teams understand residents’ preferences and favourite meals and gather feedback that can help shape future menus.
Hospitality is evolving
Hospitality in aged care has evolved well beyond preparing meals. Today’s hospitality teams work closely with clinical and care employees to support residents’ nutritional needs, cultural preferences, texture-modified diets and individual choices, helping create dining experiences that are safe, enjoyable and personalised.
Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) found that person-centred dining supports not only nutrition, but also emotional wellbeing, social connection and quality of life. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission similarly recognises food and dining as an essential part of quality care.
Hospitality employees are often among the people residents see every day, and those familiar interactions help build trust and make residents feel known.
For Roy, that’s what great hospitality is really about.
“It’s not only the meal that’s remembered. It’s the experience of sharing it with people who know you, understand your preferences and genuinely care about making your day a little better.”
