Cruise Around The World Competition

This summer, our care homes across the North of England and Midlands embarked on an unforgettable journey, setting sail to five stunning destinations for our Cruise Around the World competition! Over June and July, teams were tasked with bringing the spirit of each region to life, from the sun-drenched shores of the Caribbean to the vibrant streets of America, the ancient treasures of China, the lively festivals of South America, and the rich culture of India - all without leaving the comfort of our homes.

For five exciting weeks, our brilliant catering teams put their MasterChef skills to the test, creating mouthwatering dishes that transported us across the globe. Let’s dive into the highlights and revisit the moments that made this competition one for the ages!

We set sail with a sun-soaked stop in the Caribbean, and what a vibrant start it was! The tropical flavours and lively celebrations were a hit across all our homes.

Week one saw residents being treated to Caribbean-inspired dishes. Starters included jerk chicken skewers with mango salad or salt fish patties. For mains, we had stewed chicken, curried mutton, rice and peas, or fried dumplings, with desserts like Jamaican ginger cake or caramelised banana with rum and vanilla ice cream.

Archers Court brought the tropics to Sunderland with a brilliant tiki party - you could almost feel the sea breeze! Ashlea Mews served up the true taste of the islands, with that caramelised banana being an absolute crowd-pleaser. Cherry Trees turned up the heat with a beach-themed party packed with games and fun. Eckington gave us a nostalgic nod to Cool Runnings, forming their very own “Eckington Bobsleigh Team” full of team spirit and laughter. Green Park impressed with stunning food presentation - a real feast for the eyes and the taste buds.

From the bright lights of New York to the wilds of the Wild West, Week 2 brought an all-American celebration that was truly unforgettable.

Starters included boneless crispy chicken with mild honey and buffalo sauce or southwestern corn chowder. Main courses featured grilled cheeseburgers and fries, or BBQ pulled pork with mac 'n' cheese, while dessert choices were New York cheesecake with raspberry coulis or ice cream sundaes.

Castleford threw an epic 4th of July celebration, complete with a live Elvis tribute that had everyone singing along. Chatsworth took us back in time with a fabulous 1950s-themed party – rock ‘n’ roll and good vibes all round! Lansbury went all out, building their very own cruise ship and serving up some seriously tasty American classics. Middleton brought the magic of New York to life with a Frank Sinatra impersonator and even a yellow taxi! Riverdale embraced the Wild West with a full-on cowboy hoedown - check out those amazing outfits! Yeehaw!

Our cruise continued east, exploring the fascinating and historic land of China. From delicious dishes to cultural experiences, everyone embraced the theme wholeheartedly.

The menu featured chicken noodle soup and spring rolls with dipping sauce to start, followed by sweet and sour chicken or beef and mushrooms with egg fried rice. Desserts included banana fritters with caramel and vanilla ice cream or traditional Chinese egg custard tarts.

Ashlea Lodge served up a storm, offering a delicious menu and finishing off in style with a proper brew poured from their finest China tea set. Green Lodge wowed everyone with a surprise appearance from a grand, handcrafted dragon - a real showstopper that brought smiles all round. Millfield pulled out all the stops with a beautifully prepared three-course dinner. Thornton Hall delved deep into Chinese culture, offering residents the chance to learn about ancient traditions and customs. Over at Three Bridges, residents and colleagues were treated to a live performance before lunch, adding a special touch to their cultural celebrations.

From alpacas and jungle adventures to vibrant festivals and mouth-watering dishes, Week 4 brought the spirit of South America to life in full force.

Starters included empanadas and canja de galinha (chicken and rice soup), followed by Argentinian beef with chimichurri or moqueca (Brazilian fish stew). Desserts included Brazilian carrot cake or Quesillo (crème caramel).

Paisley Lodge transformed their space with colourful décor and costumes, making the week truly unforgettable. It was a joy to see residents and colleagues fully immersed in the celebrations. Eaton Court welcomed some very special visitors, adorable alpacas, and served up a feast, including mouth-watering empanadas. Paddock Stile Manor got creative with their very own Amazon Rainforest discovery jeep, taking residents on a jungle tour, and their “Bush Tucker Trial” added extra fun (and a few laughs!). Riverdale turned up the heat with a carnival celebration, so full of energy and colour, even Brazil would be proud. The smiles said it all! Lofthouse residents enjoyed exploring the tastes of the continent, with Canja de galinha being a firm favourite.

The grand finale took us to the vibrant and colourful land of India, where flavours, music, and tradition were celebrated in full swing.

The menu included onion bhajis with mint and yoghurt sauce or chicken tikka with cucumber, tomato, and onion salad to start. Mains featured butter chicken curry or lamb karahi, served with rice and naan bread. For dessert, we had kulfi (Indian ice cream) or rice kheer (Indian rice pudding).

Nesfield treated everyone to a delicious Indian dinner, with samosas proving to be a definite favourite. Archers Court embraced traditional Indian dress, with both residents and colleagues getting fully involved in the celebration. Green Lodge hosted a delicious feast, adding a creative twist with a henna design competition, judged by their local mayor! Eckington truly transported everyone to the heart of India with a stunning dinner setup that even featured an elephant. Green Park offered a tasting menu full of traditional Indian delicacies, each dish thoughtfully prepared and thoroughly enjoyed.

After five weeks of global fun, it was time to crown the winners of our Cruise Around the World competition! Drumroll, please...

• 1st place: Eckington Court Nursing Home
• 2nd place: Castleford Lodge Nursing Home
• 3rd place: Paisley Lodge Nursing Home

Trudy Godley, Home Manager at Eckington Court, was absolutely over the moon. She said: “Wow! Thank you so much to the judges - we are all ecstatic! We’ve loved every moment of this incredible experience.”

Hayden Knight, CEO, added: “A massive well done to every team that took part. We’ve been blown away by your dedication. You’ve all been brilliant and have made the last five weeks truly memorable for the people who live in our homes, which is of course, what matters most.”

We’d like to say a HUGE thank you to every single person who took part in our Cruise Around the World competition. Your creativity, energy, and effort made these five weeks so special. Most importantly, you created meaningful, joyful experiences for the people who live, work, and visit our homes.

 At Orchard Care Homes, we are committed to providing truly individualised care tailored to the needs of every resident. Our Reconnect dementia care model centres around the person, not the condition, ensuring that residents enjoy meaningful engagement, choice, and opportunities for connection.

For more details on the care services we offer or to locate an Orchard Care Home near you, please visit our Contact Us page or call us at 01423 859 859.

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