RESIDENTS at a Hagley care home have been sent on a voyage of food discovery as part of a holistic approach to treatment.

Chandos Lodge Residential Home invited its residents and their families to try a range of different foods and award them marks out of five before deciding what recipes to add to their summer menu.

Staff at the Stourbridge Road home wanted to get the residents involved in order to promote a healthy, well-balanced and nutritional diet.

Foods including Jamaican spiced ginger cake, lasagne, barbecue pulled pork wraps, tomato and basil lasagne and spiced summer puddings were just some of the dishes formed the tasting session.

Residents and relatives then voted on them, grading them on look, smell, texture and the all-important taste.

Joanna Cox, newly appointed home manager, said: “Food is a huge factor in our residents’ lives and we want to ensure the meals we provide not only satisfy their tastes but benefit their health.

“Healthy eating is vital to keeping well in later life. The right spices are proven to improve longevity and well-being, while meals that are high in nutritional value help protect cognitive functions as we age.

“It was great to see our residents taking such an interest and discussing their different meal options with such enthusiasm. They are now looking forward to actually seeing them on the menu.”

The dishes were supplied to the home for free by Unilever Food Solutions and Brakes, care home food specialists.