Caterplus, the specialist care catering arm of Elior UK, has launched an innovative new set of menus, providing improved choice and flexibility for retirement village customers and their guests.
Identifying the opportunity to expand its offering in the middle market, within retirement villages and extra care providers, Elior created a revised menu catering for home owners residents and guests of different ages, mobility and dietary requirements. Bespoke orders, all day grazing, traditional family dining, delivery and takeaway options are all now available with the new menu.
Putting fresh, local food front and center, health and wellbeing was a key priority when creating the revised menu. Cultural and religious needs have also been considered, with different vegetarian, halal and healthy options featuring across the Bistro menus. What’s more, celebration and theme days such as Chinese New Year, ‘Virtual Cruises’ to Italy and beyond, and National Promotions such as Hydration Week have also been introduced to encourage variety, fun dining and community.
Wilson Barrie, managing director, Caterplus said, “The quality of food and service in retirement villages and extra care providers matters greatly, so we’ve designed an offering to rival the high street.
'Thanks to valuable input from residents during menu creation, we’re confident these new menu innovations appeal to a wide range of customer tastes and nutritional needs and are excited to hear how home owners and residents across our sites are enjoying these new, creative menus.”
Joana Jardim, Caterplus dietitian, said, “As we get older, our bodies have different needs, so certain nutrients become especially important for good health. That’s where my role as a dietitian comes into play, where I support Caterplus and Elior colleagues to deliver a food service that meets our specific client nutritional requirements.”
New features of the Caterplus offering include:
• Premium barista coffee with Arte café, serving teas, coffees and cakes to rival the high street
• ‘The perfect roast’ offer designed for Sunday carvery - the perfect way to spend time with friends and family
• ‘Home Comforts’ selection of favourite nostalgic and classic dishes. From delicious, traditional British roasts served with seasonal vegetables and Yorkshire pudding, to everyone’s Friday favourite of fish ‘n’ chips. Not forgetting dishes such as a hearty slow-cooked beef stew and dumplings or the ever-popular toad in the hole with mashed potatoes and rich gravy.
• Cake and impulse, including handcrafted traybakes, cookies, and shortbread
• Bistro / Restaurant Menu, incorporating starters, mains, desserts, sides and sharing platters. Creating a ‘smaller restaurant experience’, this menu offers everything from traditional bistro style favourites such as Winter Beef Stew with Root Vegetables and Pearl Barley, to high street offers such as Char-Grilled Cheese and Bacon Burger with Fries and Onion Rings.
• New Grab & Go range including wraps, toasties, sandwiches & paninis
• Weekly themes such as fish & chips night and curry night
• Themed events throughout the year, such as Afternoon Tea Week, St George’s Day and Cornish Pasty Week
• All day grazing options such as Mediterranean Veg & Feta Salad and Chunky Bean and Chorizo soup
With a new suite of branding, point of sale and operational tools, the Caterplus offering will work alongside current interiors and brands due to its simplicity and flexibility.