Exemplar Health Care ‘dines around the world’ to celebrate global cultures and cuisines

Throughout August and September, residents and colleagues at Exemplar Health Care participated in an exciting ‘dining round the world’ initiative, offering a weekly journey through different countries, cuisines and cultural activities.

This initiative not only introduces people to new dishes and cuisines, but also helps them discover new favourites that may become regular features on home menus.

Whether it's tasting French pastries, participating in quizzes or decorating for a Mexican festival, ‘dining around the world’ is taking everyone at Exemplar Health Care on a joyful journey across the globe.

Tasting different cultures

Through ‘dining around the world’, our homes provided residents with a unique opportunity to engage with and learn about various cultures through food and themed activities.

Each week, we celebrated a new country, transforming dining rooms into immersive, themed dining experiences.

Residents have enjoyed homemade dishes prepared by our talented Catering Teams, and many even get involved in making their own meals.

Getting involved in activities and entertainment

Beyond the themed meals, residents also participated in cultural activities that highlight the history and landmarks of each country. These activities include:

• arts and crafts: colouring flags and making decorations

• music and entertainment: listening to music from the chosen country

• learning the language: picking up simple words and phrases from each country they explore.

Journeying around the globe

We kicked off our world tour at home, celebrating everything great about the UK.

The Catering Team at Maypole Grove prepared a ‘Great British Chippy’ tea, complete with all the traditional sides like curry sauce, mushy peas and pickled onions.

Meanwhile, at St Andrew’s Court, the team opted for a quintessentially British afternoon tea, which was followed by a friendly game of bowls on the lawn, evoking the charm of an English summer day.

During week two, we turned up the heat and ventured across the North Atlantic Ocean to the vibrant heart of Mexico.

From sizzling fajitas at Tyne Grange to piñata fun at Longley Park View and festive sombreros at Fairburn Vale, the week was alive with fiesta energy.

Residents embraced the colours and flavours of Mexico, making it a truly memorable week.

Week three brought us back to Europe to celebrate Italy, a country renowned for some of the world’s most loved and iconic dishes.

 This week was a firm favourite among residents and colleagues alike.

At Otterburn, residents got hands-on with pizza making, with resident Simon enthusiastically topping his pizza. "I had a bit of everything on mine," he chuckled, clearly enjoying the experience.

Meanwhile, Woolston House transformed their weekly coffee shop into ‘Fiesta Italiana,’ bringing a taste of Italian coffee culture to Warrington. The event featured a lively game of Italian bingo and a vibrant display of Venetian masks, adding a festive touch to the occasion.

In week four, we sailed across the Mediterranean Sea to explore the rich cuisine and culture of France.

Residents donned their berets, indulged in buttery croissants and expanded their French vocabulary with a few new words.

The team at Otterburn hosted a competition to see who could build the tallest Eiffel Tower out of cardboard boxes, sparking creativity and friendly rivalry.

At Tyne Grange, residents practiced their crepe-making skills during a delightful French high tea, savouring the flavours of this French delicacy.

In our penultimate week of dining around the world, we headed to East Asia to delve into the culture and cuisine of China.

The team at Shire Oaks Court enjoyed a cozy night in, savouring their favourite Chinese dishes in a ‘fakeaway’ style, all while learning more about Chinese traditions and customs.

We concluded our culinary journey across the pond with a trip to the USA, finishing our global adventure on a high note.

The final week was a celebration of American classics and culture, bringing a taste of the States to our residents and making the end of the journey as exciting as its beginning.