96-Year-Old Resident Embraces New Role as Culinary Mentor at Solihull Care Home
A 96-year-old resident has enthusiastically stepped back into a work-like environment, assuming a new position as a culinary mentor at a Solihull care home. Blossomfield Rose, which is part of the Macc Care Group, warmly welcomed Malika Kottegoda, originally from Colombo, Sri Lanka, into the kitchen to collaborate with Portuguese Head Chef Paulo Crespo. Together, they are crafting a series of dishes deeply inspired by Malika's rich Sri Lankan heritage.
Bringing Heritage Flavours to the Care Setting
After joining the care home in 2025, Malika expressed a strong desire to introduce the authentic flavours of her homeland into the daily life of the care setting. In her innovative new role, she has been actively mentoring Paulo on generations-old family recipes. This includes teaching him about fragrant curries, traditional spices, and the meticulous preparation of jaggery, an unrefined cane sugar that is central to Sri Lankan cooking and adds unique depth to dishes.
Passionate about sharing her cultural background, Malika remarked, "I never imagined I would be teaching a head chef how to cook, but Paulo is a remarkably quick learner, and we have had an absolutely wonderful time creating some delicious dishes together." The collaboration has already made a significant impact on the home's menus, with residents showing great eagerness and excitement to try the authentic new culinary offerings.
Commitment to Person-Centred Care and Community Spirit
This inspiring initiative is a key part of Blossomfield Rose's ongoing commitment to person-centred care, which celebrates the individual histories, talents, and passions of its 80 residents. Located within the historic Blossomfield Park, the home fosters a warm, family-like atmosphere where residents are actively encouraged to maintain their independence and share their unique skills and stories.
Timea Gulyas, the Home Manager at Blossomfield Rose, stated, "We strive to create a genuine family environment here where every individual is treated with the utmost respect and as a unique person. Witnessing Malika share her culture and culinary skills so vibrantly is exactly the kind of positive community spirit we continuously aim to cultivate."
Supporting Residents' Passions and Hobbies
Bhav Amlani, Director of Macc Care Group, emphasised, "At Macc Care, our residents are truly at the heart of everything we do. If they wish to follow a passion or revisit a past hobby, we work diligently to make that possible. Malika is a wonderful and inspiring resident, and her story powerfully demonstrates that with the right support and encouragement, age really is just a number."
Blossomfield Rose is a state-of-the-art care home providing exceptional nursing, dementia, residential, and respite care for up to 80 residents. This culinary mentorship programme highlights how care homes can enrich lives by integrating residents' personal interests into daily activities, fostering a sense of purpose and community.
