Finding a passion for cooking in aged care
After working in resturants as a chef, Shafa Rahman moved away from the traditional chef lifestyle and found her passion in cooking classic food and home-style meals for the redidents at Bupa Parkstone Care Home in New Zealand.
"It’s really nice talking to residents, cooking different foods for them, plating up fancy meals and getting the opportunity to create meals they wouldn’t normally get," she said.
"Working nights in the restaurants were hard and getting the opportunity to work during the day, spend time with residents, and talk with them is really nice. People are so sweet to you."
"Residents ask for different foods and we will happily do it. Everyone is like a family at Bupa Parkstone."
Shafa says she loves being a chef in aged care for the excitement and challenges it brings her each day.
It is the small things in life that bring you the most joy. I love receiving compliments from residents and knowing they love their food
She recently took on her next challenge, competing with the country’s best chefs in aged care at the Senior Lifestyle Cuisine National Culinary Competition on Sunday.
"I enjoy the extra challenge. It gets you out of your normal routine and allows you to create something exciting and test your limits," Shafa said.
After weeks of training, Shafa says she had her sights set on the top prize after placing bronze in last year’s competition.
Despite not taking home the gold, Shafa said it was a great experience competing in the competition again.
"Last year was my first time at the competition and it was nerve-wracking. This year I had an advantage," she says.
Find out more about Bupa Parkstone Care Home.
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