Celebrity Chef Culinary team

When employees from across St. Mary’s Health Care Centre joined together to create the Celebrity Chef Culinary Team, they thought they were planning a one-time event that residents and volunteers would enjoy doing together. It was in the midst of the pandemic and restrictions limited many activities. What started as a special fall harvest dinner evolved to become a much-loved and much-anticipated monthly event.

It’s a true example of collaboration. Volunteers and residents work together to document their favourite recipes – with stories and photos if they like – and submit those recipes to be served at the dinner. The recipes often showcase a cultural background, or they are favourite meals a resident or volunteer may have enjoyed with their own family. All residents are invited to help prepare the dinner, and everyone is invited to share in the food. In the process, residents get to try something new and learn a little more about each other over mouthfuls. It’s a real family-style gathering, complete with stories, camaraderie and, of course, delicious food.

The program is a success. Staff enjoy working and cooking with residents, and they’re truly delighted to see how much it means for residents to recreate good memories from their past.