Earlier this month, our Executive Chef, Tyler Horton, and his team welcomed relatives of our residents to our very first Tasting Session — an initiative designed to bring families closer to the dining experience we provide daily at Askham. Held in our Function Room, the event offered a chance to sample a wide variety of freshly prepared dishes and provide feedback on the meals their loved ones enjoy.
Bringing everyone to the table
With 12 participants in total, the session had a warm, collaborative feel — and a menu full of variety. Attendees had the opportunity to taste:
Mains:
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Lasagna
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Chilli con carne
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Chicken with chorizo
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Macaroni cheese
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Beef in black bean sauce
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Chicken coq au vin
Desserts:
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Tiramisu
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Eton mess
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Jam sponge
The session included both regular and modified texture options, giving families a fuller picture of the care and attention we bring to each plate.
Positive feedback across the board
Before the session, 50% of attendees rated the food quality at Askham as 3/5. After the session, 100% rated it as 5/5 – “Exceptional.”
Here are some of the highlights:
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100% said the food was flavourful, attractive, and suitable for their loved ones, including modified meals
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95% rated the overall experience as 5/5, with the remaining 5% giving it 4/5
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100% now feel fully confident in the quality of catering we provide
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50% were previously unaware that they could join loved ones for mealtimes – something we’re always happy to encourage
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Menu suggestions like vegetable cottage pie have already been added to our regular offering
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100% would recommend attending future sessions – with one participant noting it’s valuable “for the wellbeing of both residents and staff”
Voices from the day
Apart from seeing such valuable feedback, we were very touched by one heartfelt note from a family member, whose loved one lives at Askham House: “It’s lovely to see how much Tyler really cares – an expert in his field. Thank you to you all. Our family love you all xx”
These words reflect the strong relationships between our kitchen team and the wider Askham community. The sense of care, attention to detail, and openness to input were clear themes throughout the afternoon.
Tyler, our Executive Chef at Askham Village Community, also shared his thoughts on the event: “It’s incredibly rewarding to hear such positive feedback from relatives. They’re such an important part of our community and knowing they feel confident in the meals we prepare is what it’s all about. The tasting session was not just about showcasing the food — it was about connection, understanding, and listening.”
Tyler, our Executive Chef, proudly presenting the menu served at our first Tasting Session — a delicious showcase of Askham’s approach to personalised, resident-led catering.
Practising the Askham ethos
At Askham, each aspect of care lives and breathes our shared ethos — and catering is no exception.
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Community and empowerment: Our approach to nutrition is holistic, shaped by the input of residents, nurses, speech and language therapists, chefs and now relatives too.
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Respect and personal dignity: All meals are inclusive, with attention to modified textures, religious preferences and dietary needs.
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Quality: Our meals speak for themselves — beautifully presented, deliciously prepared and now enjoyed with even greater confidence by our residents’ families.
Looking ahead
This successful pilot session is just the beginning. We’re grateful to everyone who took part, and we’re looking forward to hosting more tasting sessions in future — continuing to listen, learn, and evolve by always placing our residents and their families at the heart of what we do.
If you’d like to learn more about our approach to food, nutrition, and person-led care at Askham, feel free to reach out by phone at 01354 740269 or by email at info@askhamvillagecommunity.com.