For Karen Brown, cooking is more than just a job, it’s an expression of love and care.

The chef recently celebrated 20 years at Garden City Aged Care Services, devoting her career to providing the best possible nutrition for residents.

“It’s just something that I do,” she said, modestly.

“I’ve always cooked and I love it here. We get to know each person and what they like, for example if they have a sweet tooth – we take note of what they like.”

Life in the kitchen started at a young age for Karen.

“My aunty was a chef, and she actually worked in aged care,” Karen said.

“I used to go into work with her – you could do that back then – and help out. My Nan liked to cook as well, and I always cooked with her.”

Part of Karen’s job is ensuring the food available is the best it possibly can be.

“Good nutrition is important, particularly as you get older,” she said. “The food must be good quality, and it has to be fortifying – often we have residents who need to put on weight, or they’re recovering from a wound or an illness.

“We just offer good home cooking.”

Everything at Garden City Aged Care Services is made on site from scratch.

“I set the menu and then it goes to the dietician who approves it or makes any adjustments that are needed,” Karen said.

“It’s a four-week menu, that rotates throughout the seasons. The residents also have meetings to talk about what they would like on the menu, and we try and accommodate that as much as possible.

“We also have to be mindful of food sensitivities, people who have issues with gluten or lactose – we’re catering for so many, but it has to be nutritious and flavourful.”

Karen added the residents loved “old school favourites” like a roast dinner, lasagne, and bread and butter pudding.

The kitchen also has theme days throughout the year.

“For example, on Ekka Day we have dagwood dogs, and chips, and strawberry sundaes,” Karen said. “When the State of Origin is on, the residents have pizza and a beer, and they watch the game.”

Each week, residents who love to cook head to McNally House to make use of the state-of-the-art kitchens there.

“That’s great for the residents who love spicy food – you can smell the wonderful scent of it coming from the kitchens there, and they look forward to that each week,” Karen said.

Some residents also help with produce for the kitchen, growing herbs and vegetables in raised beds.

“You can’t get any fresher than that,” Karen said. “A lot of the residents would have had their own gardens at home, so it’s another way they can keep that up, and contribute.”

During her time at Garden City Aged Care Services, Karen said she had seen a great deal of change, including a full renovation of the kitchen.

“While the kitchen was being renovated, we all cooked out in the carpark, in these big demountable buildings,” she recalled.

“And the kitchen staff were consulted on the changes we wanted to see in the kitchen, the layout, how it was done – everything, and that was great.”

Karen added she was conscious of bringing joy to the residents each day.

“The residents know you – they might not always remember your name, but they know you, they know you work in the kitchen, and they feel comfortable with you,” she said.

“If I see one of them is upset, I’ll come out with a cup of tea and have a chat.

“We’re part of their family circle and it’s about trust and comfort.

“Sometimes one of the residents will come into the kitchen and say they want to help, so I get them to fold napkins or something small, then I can say ‘thank you, your shift is finished now’.”

Christmas is a special time at Garden City Aged Care Services, with residents and their families treated to a special lunch with all the trimmings.

“We do all the cooking for Christmas, and we also do special anniversary and birthday dinners for residents and their families as well,” Karen said.

“You always just hope you’re making a difference.”

Karen’s 20th anniversary was celebrated with a morning, tea, flowers, and a gift.

“I just love the organisation, and the support the management have always given to me,” she said.

“I’ve always felt supported. And all the staff here get on; we have a great team. I’ll probably be here for another 20 years, until I’m ready to move in.”