A former carer who admits he ‘couldn’t fry an egg’ to begin with has been selected as one of the top social care chefs in Wales.
Social care chef Jake couldn’t fry an egg until love of people inspired him to try his hand in the kitchen.
Jake Murray, from Splott, has worked in the kitchen at the city’s Hallmark Shire Hall Luxury Care Home for eight years providing nutritious meals and menus for residents receiving nursing and dementia care at the home operated by Hallmark Luxury Care Homes.
He has now been nominated for Excellence in Catering – sponsored by Harlech Foodservice – in the 2024 Wales Care Awards.
The ceremony, hosted by radio and TV presenter Jason Mohammad, will be taking place at the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff on October 18, with the event being sponsored by Ontex Healthcare.
Jake said:
“I actually joined Shire Hall as a carer just over 10 years ago,” he said. “I loved the people and the relationships I built with them, but it was a very tough job emotionally. “It’s like having 20 nannas and grandpas, you see them so much you get that family connection. “Mealtimes were some of the best times – people who might not have had a visitor for weeks would gather and chat and the room would buzz and be really positive. “I wanted to still have that connection to people I got through caring while also making them feel that good every day – but I couldn’t cook at all. I couldn’t even fry an egg!”
Regardless, Jake decided that the kitchen was where he wanted to be. He applied to become a kitchen assistant and joined the catering team at Shire Hall. There he learned cooking skills and trained for his NVQ under the head chef.
Today he cooks, bakes, devises themed menus, creates nutritious dishes to ensure residents are well fed and travels South Wales cooking traditional regional Welsh dishes that bring joy and happiness to Hallmark residents.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “Obviously there are certain needs the residents have to keep their strength up to fight off illnesses, but for me it’s the social impact of food that really makes a difference. “You see people living with dementia for example tasting something and having a real positive reaction to it and it’s a fantastic feeling. “Becoming a chef has allowed me to continue to have that relationship with the residents. I do a bit of everything and when I travel to other areas I get to cook different regional foods which is really interesting. But what matters is how it makes people feel – that’s my motivation.”
And that impact is why Jake says he sees himself staying in social care catering for the long-term.
“My partner has asked me whether I would ever consider working in a restaurant,” said Jake. ”But the truth is I wouldn’t. You don’t get the same feedback and reactions when people come in to buy a meal. Here my cooking has meaning for people and that’s what counts.”
Hospitality Servicers Manager Fred Gest was full of praise for Jake.
“As a positive thinking person, Jake is a great team player and does not shy away from taking on extra responsibilities. He is always willing to help. “He works hard to develop all aspects of catering for our residents, from finding new ways to provide hydration to new recipes for residents with conditions like dysphagia. “I am very proud to have Jake working as part of the team here at Shire Hall.”
Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of the Wales Care Awards, said:
“Our aim is to recognise the unstinting and often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines on the front line of social care across Wales. “The care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job, it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the X Factor. “If you don’t recognise the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need and never recognise the value of the people who need the care in society. “We need to do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce – they deserve to be lauded and applauded. “It is a pleasure to honour the contribution of all the finalists. Each and every one of them should be very proud of their achievement.”
Good luck Jake! Congratulations on being nominated and hope you have a fantastic time at the awards.
