HC-One’s Rachel Keys shortlisted for Care Catering Award

Rachel Keys, HC-One’s Regional Quality Improvement Lead for the North West region has being shortlisted as a finalist in the ‘Care Catering Award’ Category at the Public Sector Catering Awards 2024.

The Public Sector Catering Awards consist of 16 award categories that are open to individuals, teams, and organisations who operate in a public sector environment. The awards seek out the very best talented individuals, teams and organisations who showcase innovation and take pride in the quality of food and service they provide to others to deliver best practice and person-centred nutritional care.

Chris Bonner, executive chef and nutrition & hydration lead at HC-One who nominated Rachel for the award comments: “Being shortlisted as a finalist at these prestigious awards is a testament to the passion and dedication Rachel demonstrates. She goes above and beyond to provide the kindest care to residents living in our care homes and provides support to her colleagues. This enables HC-One to achieve its mission to be the first-choice care provider in each of the communities that we serve.”

Rachel has been shortlisted as a finalist because she has significantly impacted and improved the delivery of mealtimes to residents living in HC-One care homes across the North West region, particularly in the area of nutrition and hydration to ensure the care of residents.

She consistently goes above and beyond her regular duties to enrich the experience of the people she works with and provides services to, all in a person-centred way.

Some of Rachel’s highlights and key achievements to date include her unwavering advocacy for menu compliance, weight management, home baking, and special dietary requirements. She understands that individuals' nutritional needs are diverse and unique and strives to create an inclusive environment where everyone's needs are catered for, actively implementing strategies to improve them.

Rachel is also dedicated to the IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) framework which she champions and encourages all her colleagues to understand and apply. The IDDSI testing methods ensure that texture-modified foods are of the highest quality, which enhances choice and minimises risks across HC-One. Her commitment to following these standards ensures that individuals with swallowing difficulties receive the appropriate textures of food and enjoy a positive dining experience.

Commenting on her nomination, Rachel Keys says: “I am absolutely delighted to be shortlisted as a finalist in the ‘Care Catering Award’. This is a real recognition of all the work I’ve been involved in at HC-One. I’m looking forward to attending the award ceremony and celebrating everyone’s achievements in the sector.”

Rachel is one of four HC-One finalists at the Public Sector Catering Awards who have been shortlisted in the ‘Care Catering Award’ Category. Rachel and the other finalists will discover if they have been successful in winning in their respective categories at an award ceremony that will be take place on Thursday 4^th April 2024 at the Hilton London Metropole. 

You may also be interested in…