Our Catering Team

Our 5 star Catering Service aims to produce a fresh variety of traditional and international foods for our residents, staff and visitors to enjoy. We try to source our ingredients from local suppliers. Our meat comes from Buckles in Shenfield: a reputable local butcher with a long history in the area. We have 2 deliveries a week which means most of our meat is fresh rather than being frozen down. Vines in Chelmsford have supplies our fresh fruit and vegetables for 10 years, delivering 3 days a week which means we can serve fresh produce every day. Fish is brought in once a week straight off the boat. If we don’t use it on the day it is frozen down by us and used within a few days.

Our menu works on a 4 week rota. We serve the main meal of the day at lunch time with at least 3 choices freshly cooked each time. Supper time is a lighter option but you will always have the choice of jacket potato, salads and sandwiches. Through the autumn and winter menu we offer homemade soups every day. We provide different textured meals following current SALT guidelines and each residents’ assessment.

 

Allergies

If you have any questions regarding the Food, Menus or Allergens please do not hesitate to speak to one of the team; we will be only too happy to talk with you and discuss your needs. Allergen labels are available on all units and are available at request from the canteen if needed. Food from Cookery with the activities’ team will also have allergen stickers on them before being delivered to residents. We have an obligation to comply with the requirements of the Food Safety.

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You MAY bring in the following:

  • Wrapped fresh fruit and fruit products
  • Dried fruit tubs and pre-packed fruit
  • Pre-packed muffins, tea cakes, pancakes, scones or similar
  • Pre-wrapped nuts and seeds (provided the patient does not have any related allergies)
  • Pre-wrapped biscuits, crackers and cakes  (not fresh or artificial cream)
  • Pre-wrapped chocolate or sweets
  • Packets of crisps (individual packets), popcorn, pretzels
  • Bottled drinks (plastic only) e.g. squashes or carbonates. Small quantities of fruit juice or smoothies
  • Preserves e.g. jam, marmalade, honey, marmite, bovril (in small plastic jars)

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These foods CANNOT be brought in as they may support the growth of pathogenic bacteria:

  • Raw meat or fish, cooked meat and poultry, fresh meat products e.g. gravy, soups and stock
  • Fresh or artificial cream products e.g. custards, yoghurts, mousse, cakes and ice cream
  • Pre-wrapped sandwiches (all fillings)
  • Items with added alcohol e.g. chocolate liqueurs, stollen and similar festive foods
  • Pick 'n' mix
  • Full boxes of crisps or multi-packs
  • Large cartons of fruit juice, grapefruit juice (which can interact with some prescribed medication), milkshakes
  • Any other food item which requires refrigeration or heating e.g. pies, pasties, sausage rolls, cheese, eggs
  • Take-away meals including pizzas, beefburgers and kebabs

Unit Kitchens

Fridges are only for food provided for residents by MNCC catering department. Food provided by residents or families should be stored in individual fridges (to be supplied by resident). We politely request that you do not share any food products with any other residents without prior consultation with the relevant RGN or Unit Manager. Unit Microwaves are only to be used for residents’ food. Any food taken out of the building for residents (or staff accompanying to appointments) must be in containers provided by the catering department.