What it's like working in catering at Anchor

Shaun West is a Catering & Hospitality Specialist at Anchor. In this blog, he talks about his career journey so far and shares real insight on what it's like working in catering at one of our care homes.

Shaun's catering journey at Anchor so far

Shaun first started at Anchor in November 2024 as a Chef Manager at Kingfisher Court care home after spending several years working as a Chef and Head Chef within restaurants, hotels and contract catering.

Fast-forward to April 2026, and Shaun was proudly promoted to Catering & Hospitality Specialist at Anchor and is now in charge of overseeing our catering operations across multiple homes.

What was your experience as a chef in a care home?

I loved my role as a care home Chef Manager and would still be working in that role if not for the amazing opportunity to become a Catering & Hospitality Specialist.  

My favourite parts about working as a Chef Manager in an Anchor care home were:  

• Having full control and management of the kitchen
• Creating our own menus with involvement from residents  
• Offering a balance of traditional and more adventurous dishes to cater to various palates  

The quality of food in Anchor care homes is always at restaurant standard using meat from nominated butchers, fresh fruit and vegetables and fresh fish that is delivered 6 times a week.  

Having the ability to challenge our suppliers on quality and having the freedom to change our fresh food suppliers when needed to adhere to the homes high standards was one of the things I valued most about the role.  

What is the most rewarding part of being a chef in a care home?  

Cooking for the residents at Kingfisher Court was the most rewarding part of the job in my role as Chef Manager.  

Our food is often the highlight of their day, and we worked with residents to create menus that suit them. Food can be grounding and often memory-triggering for people, especially dementia residents, so it’s important to cater to personal tastes and favourites.

We also held multiple events during my time as the Chef Manager, including our summer fair featuring BBQ food and a cake stall.  

I also enjoyed hosting monthly themed menus catering to seasonal events and care home visitors, such as:

• Valentines' Day menus  
• Father's Day breakfast  
• Residents' family buffet

What achievements were you most proud of when working as a Chef Manager?  

When I became Chef Manager at Kingfisher care home, my personal challenge set by the care home manager was to move away from frozen products and focus purely on fresh nutritious seasonal dishes, working to the same high standards of any high-profile kitchen.

Alongside this, we elevated our coffee mornings for our residents and their families, offering a wide range of homemade cakes, scones and cookies. This gave residents the opportunity to connect with their loved ones while enjoying homemade treats.

What opportunities did you have as a Chef Manager at Anchor?

While working as a Chef Manager at Anchor's Kingfisher Court care home, I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to enter the Chef of the Year competition. This competition allows Anchor's care home chefs to showcase the amazing work we do serving our residents highly nutritional, great tasting and beautifully presented meals.  

I was also given the opportunity to attend development days with our suppliers and foraging events with Anchor's National Catering & Hospitality Manager, Noel Finnegan, to find and harvest seasonal ingredients.

What are the shift patterns when working in catering within care?

People are often deterred by unsociable hours when working in hospitality, but care home catering provides a great work life balance, avoiding late restaurant hours. I didn’t work late evenings, and I always benefited from alternate weekends off.  

Alongside this, I only worked four days a week, allowing for more time to do the things I love outside of my role.  

Working as a chef in care home vs other hospitality services  

The main difference between working in catering in a care home compared to other hospitality settings is the ability to completely manage your kitchen.  

I always received great support from the care home manager who ensured any equipment or items to help our food offerings were always readily available.  

It's much less stressful working as a chef in a care home compared to a restaurant, and the lovely feedback we receive from residents really helps drive the team and keep everyone motivated, knowing we're making meals that matter.  

Start your career in care catering today  

A career in care catering is more than preparing meals; it’s about making a real difference to the lives of older people, allowing you to combine your passions for hospitality with person-centred care.  

If you’re ready to build a career where every day matters, explore our latest Care Home Chef and Catering Jobs at Anchor. These aren’t just your average kitchen jobs; it’s your chance to make a real impact and enjoy a truly rewarding career.  

Find out more about the benefits of working at Anchor and the culture and values we carry.