Jun22596 10 | LUXlife Magazine The aged care hospitality sector in Australia is in the midst of a significant transformation, where expectations are rising for quality, nutrition, and innovation in resident dining experiences. Food in aged care was once viewed as a just support service; however, it is now recognised how it plays an important role in each resident’s wellbeing, dignity, and daily enjoyment. Today, residents and families seek restaurant-style service, personalised menu options, and nutritious meals that cater to individual preferences and clinical needs. “At mecwacare, we recognise that food is more than nourishment – it's a source of comfort, connection, and joy,” says Dineshkumar. “Our Hotel Services team is leading this evolution by introducing chef-led innovation, fine dining experiences, and resident-centred menu design across all our facilities. The focus has shifted from basic meal delivery to creating memorable dining experiences that celebrate flavour, culture, and presentation.” Dineshkumar has worked at mecwacare for 21 years, and today he manages 22 aged care facilities, five retirement villages, and 21,000 home care and community clients. He enjoys being a part of team that he describes as caring, collaborative, and purpose-driven. The organisation fosters an inclusive workplace where every voice matters, and all teams feel free to innovate, share their ideas, and take pride in their work. This staff culture reflects the mecwacare brand – compassionate, resident-focused, and on a relentless mission toward excellence. Dineshkumar comments, “We believe that hospitality in aged care is about heart as much as skill, and we encourage this through ongoing training, recognition programmes, and leadership development. Team members are empowered to contribute to menu ideas, seasonal celebrations, and fine dining events that bring happiness to residents and families.” Notably, the Hotel Services team has implemented several innovative initiatives that have truly transformed the way residents enjoy their meals. One of its most exciting accomplishments has been the introduction of buffet breakfasts across all facilities, meaning residents get to start their Best Aged Care & Community Meal Services 2025 – Australia & ResidentCentred Hospitality & Innovation Excellence Award 2025 For more than 65 years, mecwacare has been a non-profit organisation providing a range of aged care services, including residential aged care, respite stays, home care, community services, retirement living, affordable housing, and disability services. We are pleased to be recognising its aged care hospitality division, where its teams, led by Head of Hotel Services, Dineshkumar Subramani, deliver exceptional services in catering and cleaning. Every single day, they produce around 6,000 meals, and their annual meal production is estimated at 2.19 million. We speak to Dineshkumar to learn more about how mecwacare’s chefs are leading the way in creating moments of joy, comfort, and connection for residents through food. day with more choice, freshness, and the feeling of dining in a hotel-style setting. This initiative has proven popular, with residents appreciating the independence that comes with putting their own breakfast together and bringing a sense of delight to every morning. The team have also added Visual TV Menus to the dining areas, which bring menus to life with bright imagery and bold, easy-to-read displays so that residents can visualise their meal options in a way that is interactive, engaging, and inclusive. These menus are updated every season, to keep them fresh, varied, and resident-centred, ensuring a healthy balance of nutrition and flavour using seasonal ingredients. Furthermore, puree meals are also available and served with professional care and creativity, ensuring dignity and visual appeal while maintaining the highest standards of nutrition and texture modification. Importantly, its residents are invited to share their food preferences and ideas directly with the chefs through its Food Focus Forums. “By combining culinary expertise, technology, and compassion, mecwacare continues to set new standards in aged care hospitality – ensuring every meal reflects our core values of care, quality, and connection. Our values are to be Caring, Accountable, Respectful and Ethical.” mecwacare's Hotel Services division continues to embrace cuttingedge technology to enhance its service offering, such as FoodByUs, an advanced digital procurement platform that streamlines supplier ordering, enhances transparency, and ensures cost effectiveness across all facilities. Alongside this, it has integrated Safe Food Pro, a state-ofthe-art digital food safety system that has taken compliance, monitoring, and reporting standards to the next level – guaranteeing that every meal served meets the highest of safety and quality regulations. It doesn’t end there, for Daily Meal Audits have also been welcomed across all its kitchens, which allow real-time tracking of meal presentation, mecwacare
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