Food experience at residential care homes
All ACH Group residential care homes offer a wide variety of meal options at every mealtime, expertly catering to all tastes and dietary requirements. Every day, we serve a variety of fresh, tasty meals and ensure every dish is both nutritious and flavoursome.
Menus are created in collaboration with our in-house chef and dietitian to ensure a balanced, well-rounded meal plan while catering to individual dietary needs.
Our seasonal menus keep meals exciting by introducing new dishes as the seasons change.
Some favourites include roasts, beef stir fry, eggplant parmigiana, steak Diane and sticky date pudding. Seasonal menus reflect the time of year and the availability of fresh produce, offering comforting meals during colder months and lighter, refreshing options in warmer weather. We also serve special menus to celebrate special occasions, holidays and festivities.
All resident meals are planned and organised by our central Hospitality Services team ensure we can deliver the highest levels of quality, freshness, and consistency at every meal. Final preparation of every meal is always undertaken at your home.
ACH Group takes a personalised approach to catering for the dietary needs of every resident.
Our in-house dietitian and highly trained chefs create seasonal menus that are nutritionally balanced and flavoursome.
For residents who prefer smaller, more frequent meals, we have a wide selection of tasty and nutritious snacks which are always available to ensure variety and choice.
Our hospitality teams at each home are also skilled in preparing meals that reflect individual preferences and dietary requirements. We strive to make every dining experience enjoyable.
Our allied health team works closely with residents to provide specialist support for important health and safety considerations, such as managing swallowing difficulties.
Winter Menu 2025
ACH Group’s new Winter Menu is the result of engagement roadshows, chef visits, and collaboration with a dietitian – all of which contributed to the development of the recipes.
From hearty soups to succulent roasts, the 2025 Winter Menu has been developed in partnerships with residents to make sure the food is nourishing for the body and soul.
Read more about the new Winter Menus.
Nourish to flourish program
Nourish to Flourish is an evolving initiative aimed at enhancing the dining experience for residents through a holistic, person-centred approach. It recognises that mealtimes are not only essential for nutrition but also play a key role in promoting wellbeing, independence, and social connection.
By prioritising resident choice, dignity, and meaningful engagement, Nourish to Flourish seeks to transform dining into a pleasurable and meaningful part of daily life. The initiative also supports the broader goal of reablement – helping residents maintain or regain skills that enhance their quality of life.
A number of pilot projects include the introduction of café-style drinks, personalised snack and milkshake options, seasonal menu development, innovative hydration strategies, and residents engaging in cooking and baking activities.
Clinical and hospitality managers are joining residents at mealtimes, while care teams provide support where needed or encourage independence.
In addition, dining spaces are being thoughtfully redesigned to feel more comfortable and reduce distractions. Together, these efforts reflect a shared commitment to making mealtimes more enjoyable, personalised, and connected.
Making food a social experience
Food plays a central role in celebrations and special events at ACH Group’s residential care homes. Themed culinary experiences are created around significant calendar days, with dishes that capture the spirit of each occasion and bring residents together to enjoy and share the moment. Bi-monthly cooking experiences also offer opportunities to explore different cooking and baking techniques or try unique drink creations, encouraging residents to get involved, taste new flavours, and enjoy hands-on participation.
See the latest Social and Wellbeing Guide – Residential Care for more information.
Melbourne Cup Luch
Residents are invited to join the race that stops the nation with a special Melbourne Cup lunch.
Friday Happy Hour
Residents are encouraged to come along each Friday to relax and connect with others. With friendly support from staff, they enjoy their choice of drinks – from wine and beer to tea and soft drinks – alongside platters of snacks, quizzes, games, and music. The monthly Cocktail or Mocktail of the Month adds a sense of fun and discovery, inspired by global cultures, seasonal flavours, or special events.
Dine with a Chef
Residents are invited to sit down and share a meal with one of ACH Group’s chefs, creating a two-way conversation about their dining experience. They’re encouraged to give feedback, express preferences, and feel part of shaping the food they enjoy every day – making mealtimes more personal and engaging.
Feedback is welcome
ACH Group recognises the importance of food and the dining experience to the wellbeing and enjoyment of residents.
Residents are actively involved in the design of every seasonal menu. Through regular resident meetings and focus groups with our experienced chefs, menus are planned to incorporate resident suggestions, preferences, seasonal influences, and new recipe ideas.
We actively encourage residents to share their feedback at every mealtime, helping us continually improve and enhance the dining experience.
