The Greek Community Home For The Aged in Earlwood, Sydney, operated by the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW has ranked among the top 20 nationally for its delicious food, according to a new national survey conducted on behalf of the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care reports news.com.au.
The annual survey, conducted on behalf of the Australian government, asked more than 37,000 aged care residents across Australia, a key question: "Do you like the food here?" This year's results revealed some homes excelled, with The Greek Community Home for the Aged landing ranking in the top 20 of all facilities nationwide.
The secret to their success? Knowing their residents' tastes by having a monthly residents’ consultation meeting and thus creating a truly delightful dining experience.
“We know if we can get the food right, then we are going to get everything else right,” Katerina Kouris, manager of The Greek Community Home For The Aged said.
Chef Panayaiotis Giannakopoulos whips up traditional dishes like fish and horta vrasta and pork with lettuce and white egg lemon sauce, all enjoyed in a light and airy dining room with a beautiful picture of Greece on the wall.
"It's all very Greek and the aroma of the food in the dining room is always delicious," says Ms. Kouris. This focus on resident preferences is a recipe for success according to Dietitian Dr. Cherie Hugo. "Sometimes it's not about how much you spend, or how fancy it looks, but serving food people want or are familiar with," she says.
The Greek Community Home for the Aged is a shining example, proving that good food can be a powerful tool for resident well-being. Ms. Kouris proudly notes, "We don't have weight loss here, unless someone is unwell. People actually come in and gain weight."
