When people think of senior living dining, they often picture the clinical precision behind every plate: strict dietary guidelines, intricate nutritional standards and -modified meals. at Morrison Living, food has always been about much more than nutrition. It’s about connection, care and wellbeing.
Recently, that heart was put on centre stage with the second round of the national Hot Plate Culinary Competition. What started as an invitation to showcase culinary skills has ignited genuine excitement, personal growth and renewed pride across our entire culinary community.
Tapping Into Heritage and Heart
When National Executive Chef Aman Marwah first learned about Hot Plate, he knew this was far from your ‘stock standard’ recipe contest.
“Generally, culinary competitions are fairly standard: you cook a recipe, it is judged and a basic prize is awarded,” Aman explains. “This one was really different and exciting. The way I pitched it to my guys was: you don’t have to think outside the box or come up with something overly exquisite. Go back to your roots. Look at what you experienced as kids and while growing up, what you do traditionally and draw your inspiration from there.”
That simple, empowering message struck a chord. Aged care chefs are masters of detail, juggling daily operations, compliance and specialised dietary needs. Given the platform to share their heritage and personal stories through food, they embraced the opportunity with open arms.
Liberation and Learning in the Kitchen
The competition has become a powerful development pathway, encouraging chefs to step away from the administrative grind and step back up to the creative plate.
Aman highlights Sandesh Pandey, Chef Manager at Vasey Bundoora in Melbourne:
“Sandy only gets one day a week for admin. He’s on the tools every other day. He was hesitant at first, but this competition gave him the space to draw from his native ingredients, tradition and culinary background. It has completely re-energised his passion.”
Aman Marwah | National Executive Chef
The Power of Honest Feedback
In aged care, every meal matters. As Aman notes, cooking in a senior living community comes with unique challenges:
“When you go to a restaurant, you have one meal and you’re bamboozled by all the flair. In senior living, we work within operating standards and strenuous nutritional benchmarks. When a resident gives you great feedback day in and day out, it’s straight, honest and truly special.”
Hot Plate builds on that same dedication to quality, giving our culinary teams the chance to refine their plating, experiment with storytelling and take constructive mentorship to the national stage.
A Reason to Be Proud
As we head toward the national finals, one thing is certain: our teams have already achieved something remarkable.
“Regardless of the final result, this is huge for our sector,” Aman reflects. “It sets the ground for the future. It sends a clear message to all our chefs and cooks that Morrison Living is a place where you can grow, showcase your talent and do extraordinary things.”
Hot Plate has proven that when we invest in our people and celebrate their authentic skills, everyone thrives, from our kitchen benches to the dining rooms of the residents we care for every day.
Regardless of who takes home the trophy at the national finale, the Morrison Living family is walking away inspired, connected and immensely proud.
