THE POWER OF PROGRESSION: The Programme is unveiled

The 2025 edition of the Care Home Catering Forum, which will take place on Thursday 5th June, is specially designed to appeal to those involved in all aspects of care catering and will run concurrently with a dedicated exhibition where delegates can discover the latest products and innovations from some of the industry’s leading suppliers. 

The Forum will feature a selection of speakers, all of whom will be discussing some of the most pressing issues currently facing the care catering sector.

 They will include regular Care Home Catering columnist Rachael Masters, a consultant dietitian and the founder of Focus on Undernutrition, a practical online training course for care catering staff who are tasked with menu planning and special diets. In her session, Rachael will explain how care caterers can implement the nutritional guidelines laid out in the Care Home Digest, which was launched by the British Dietetic Association last June, in as practical a way as possible. 

Joining Rachael on the podium will be Richard Ayres, a social care advisor at Care England, where he advises care providers on funding, regulatory, workforce, procurement and operational challenges. Richard’s presentation will focus on the White Paper recently published following collaboration between Care England and Oak Hall Kitchen, which recommends a complete overhaul of dysphagia care and management in care settings.

Richard will be followed by Preston Walker and James Ball of OHK, who will suggest how care caterers can practically accommodate the special requirements of those living with dysphagia through thoughtful menu planning

Mark Glenister, who serves as Operations Manager at The Burnt Chef Project, has cultivated a deep passion for creating supportive, inclusive environments where people can thrive and is working to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health within the catering and hospitality sectors. He will use his slot to discuss how care home and catering managers can protect the mental health of those working in care home kitchens. 

Next on the podium will be Jamie Clews, a key account manager at Metcalfe Catering Equipment. Starting as a chef, Jamie honed his skills in fine dining, large-scale event catering, and intimate gastro sites. He will be tackling the thorny issue of food waste in care homes and will advise care caterers on how to reduce it, using the information culled from case studies conducted during the last 12 months at various care homes.

Amanda Woodvine is the chief executive of Vegetarian for Life (VfL), the UK’s leading charity supporting older vegetarians and vegans. With a background in governance, policy development, and community engagement, Amanda has over 15 years of senior leadership experience. Her presentation will centre on the findings of a study conducted by the University of Swansea, which investigated how the nutritional needs of vegetarians and vegans living in residential care homes can be properly met.

Kerry Southern-Reason, the founder and CEO of the Care Home Interiors Group, is an enthusiastic advocate for improving the lives of care home residents through thoughtful and impactful design. Since establishing her business in 2001 she has become a trailblazer in dementia interior design and will use her slot to discuss how care homes can provide a dining space that will enhance the everyday dining experience.

A further highlight of the Forum will be the announcement of the winners of the 2025 Care Home Catering Awards in five categories:
Chef of the Year
Group Care Home Caterer of the Year
Independent Care Home Caterer of the Year
Care Home Catering Team of the Year
The Above and Beyond Special Award

The event will take place at Farmers & Fletchers Hall, a modern, purpose-built conference venue, which is easily accessible from the Barbican, St. Paul’s, Moorgate and Farringdon underground stations. Tickets are available now and, as last year’s event attracted a record number of delegates, it is anticipated that participant numbers will increase this year. So, in order to secure your place at the event, early booking is advised!

Book now at: Care Catering Forum

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