HOME COOKING: Chris Took, chef at the Hospice of St Francis.
One of the key ingredients in the care provided by the Hospice of St Francis is its multi-talented chef.
Chris Took, pictured above, became part of the hospice family more than four years ago and his dedication and caring attitude has left a lasting impression on patients and their families.
Chris told The Gazette: "Food is very important. My aim everyday is to give the patients choice. When patients come in for the first time I introduce myself to put them at ease."
Chris will go to great lengths to accommodate patients', and their family's, tastes.
The hospice welcomes friends and relatives to visit and eat with patients and Chris does his best to make it as comfortable and homely as possible.
"If the patients have family coming to visit we try to find something they'll like," he explained. If there are four different food fads in the family then I'll do my best to accommodate them all!"
Chris also provides a breakfast menu that patients can choose from - whether it's toast or a full English - and then a lunch menu.
"I'll go round and see what they want for lunch - it's more of a personal service to the patients," he explained.
Hospice boss Dr Ros Taylor said Chris and his kitchen staff were a key cog in the hospice machine.
She said: "Chris has become a crucial part of the St Francis team and made such a difference to so many patients. We can't underestimate the value of food!"
Chris also does his best to make Christmas as enjoyable as possible for patients.
"We provide a full Christmas dinner and some of the relatives come in and sit with the patients and we decorate the table," he explained. It's trying to give the patients what they would have at home."
The new premises will offer Chris a much bigger kitchen but still allow him to be at the heart of the hospice community.
He said: "I still want to do a personal service which will be harder in a bigger building but I'm determined to do it because I really think it's important."
|
