During the holiday period Chef Manager, Penny Moran, brought to life the first inaugural Gingerbread House Decorating Competition at Pacifica.
Each of the four households received the blank canvas to a gingerbread house and a number of decorating supplies including icing and sweets. It was then up to the residents to let their creative spirit run free and work together to build their masterpiece.
“I wanted to do something different that got the residents engaged and I had built gingerbread houses before so I figured why not make a little competition amongst the residents here at Pacifica” Penny said.
Not only was there gingerbread house making but Penny and the team had the residents involved in making White Christmas and Rum Balls for their Christmas party and decorating gingerbread stars and camels to hang on the Christmas tree.
“It was amazing to watch the ladies in the dementia ward instantly remember how to roll rum balls. You could tell these women were veteran cooks as they were rolling them with one hand!” Penny said.
Penny and Uniting Pacifica Service Manager, Joanne Butler also had their teenage kids and husbands visit the facility and help volunteer on the day.
“The residents really enjoyed having young people in the facility. You could really see them responding and interacting with them.
“Overall it was a really great day! It was fantastic to see the residents so happy and I think they really enjoyed doing something different. We’ve already booked it into the calendar for next year!”
It is important for Cater Care to recognise those that go above and beyond to exemplify care, pride and community. Penny’s commitment to these values, in both words and actions, builds a stronger and healthier community and her effort to create value every day is the foundation to our success.
