Nuffield Health Tees Hospital is turning around perceptions of hospital food after its chefs scooped a top industry award.
Catering business manager at Nuffield Tees, Brian McArthur, along with head chef Gordon Hesse and their ten-strong team have picked up a Star Award following excellent ratings from patients.
The awards are run by services firm Sodexo, which offers a whole range of functions including catering, for those who have gone beyond the call of duty in their roles.
There are more than 60,000 Sodexo employees around the country so Nuffield Tees have beaten off stiff competition within the private healthcare sector to bring home a Star Award.
Gordon said: “Hospital food can often have a poor reputation but we’re proving that doesn’t have to be the case. We were nominated after scoring top in all of our patient satisfaction surveys, with patients saying it felt like eating in a 5* hotel rather than a hospital.
“The whole team here works incredibly hard and takes pride in giving food a real wow factor to make sure our culinary offer is part of the high-quality experience patients have with us.
“The menu changes every day. We have an a la carte menu with two-course options along with separate vegetarian, gluten free, children’s and breakfast menus. Picking up the latest menu, we’ve got grilled fillet of salmon, Beef Bourguignon and traditional favourites like shepherd’s pie. I’m also busy making southern-fried chicken from scratch.”
The Nuffield team travelled to London to pick up the award, which was presented by comedian Patrick Kielty. He has worked for Nuffield for eight years.
Nuffield Tees Hospital Director Lesley Lock said: “We’re incredibly proud of what Brian, Gordon and the catering team here has achieved. While hospital food might often be thought of as a recipe for disaster, our patients are full of praise about their meals.
“The chefs work hand-in-hand with our pre-assessment teams to make sure that patients are served food which is delicious, nutritious and which meets their dietary needs.”
The Sodexo Star Awards honour finalists and winners who have achieved high standards across 24 categories.