Three Lanarkshire care homes have served up a dish of stiff competition – by jumping on the Come Dine With Me bandwagon and staging their own version of the popular television show.
Bupa’s Highgate Care Home in Uddingston and Hatton Lea Care Home in Bellshill, alongside Rosepark Care Home, went head to head in the culinary challenge, with each home hosting a themed lunch over a three day period.
Two residents from each home attended each day and, as is done in the Channel Four programme, they scored each meal at the end of the day.
Highgate kicked off the event with a British Butlins-style lunch, treating residents to traditional fish and chips and afternoon tea, and welcoming in a guitar player who provided sing-along entertainment.
Day two saw Rosepark Care Home bring a hearty Scottish-themed lunch to its guests, complete with favourites such as haggis, neeps and tatties, steak pie and classic Ceilidh dancing. The event concluded with a Christmas fare at Hatton Lea, featuring lentil soup, a chicken dinner and sherry trifle.
Michelle Ferrey, home manager at Highgate Care Home, came up with the idea to hold the competition and invited the other two homes to take part.
She says: “The residents and staff had a great time over the three days - it was lovely to see the enthusiasm and competitiveness that the cooking challenge brought out in everyone involved.
“They also really enjoyed visiting the other care homes, socialising and meeting new people, and loved the efforts made by the staff – particularly those who dressed up in line with the themed days.
“The only criticism from one resident was that there were no chipolata sausages, which we will be sure to correct next time around!”
At the end of the three day Come Dine With Me challenge, Bupa’s Highgate and Hatton Lea Care Homes came in joint first, sharing the prize of a £20 voucher for dinner at The Windmill Tavern in Tannochside and a two course meal for two at the Bizzare Bar in Strathclyde Park. Rosepark Care Home came in a close second, winning a bunch of flowers and a bottle of wine.
