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Sunrise of Sonning have been shortlisted by the National Association of Care Catering (NACC) for two prestigious awards.

The luxury care home has been selected as a finalist for The Catering Team of the Year Award, whilst Adriano Carvalho, Head Chef, has been selected for the NACC Our Care Catering Hero Award.

The Sunrise of Sonning Catering Team have been rewarded for their commitment to their roles and improving the health and well-being of residents. The shortlistings are recognition for their outstanding performance, attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond for their residents.

One particular resident lives with dementia. The catering team quickly learned of her enjoyment for curry, and on every Saturday, serve up her favourite meal. Her weekly ‘curry day’ has acted as a cue, prompting her memory to improve due to the routine. Elsewhere, the care team identified a resident was losing weight due to the way their meal was being presented. By making a subtle change, the resident’s weight quickly returned to a safe and stable level.

Adriano Carvalho has been working for Sunrise since 2014, where he has risen to Head Chef whilst helping three other team members to become Professional Qualified Chefs. Adriano is responsible for a team of 15 catering and dining staff. In March 2020, when the government instructed all high-risk people to shield, Sunrise of Sonning lost its Head of Housekeeping. Adriano offered to step in, and so until January 2021, was responsible for a team of 25 people in the Catering, Dining and Housekeeping teams.

Adriano also spent the first lockdown transforming an old shed into a Summer House, for residents to visit, enjoy birthday parties and frequent in whilst enjoying the garden’s views.

Adriano has worked selflessly and tirelessly. His willingness to go above and beyond has also seen him nominated for the Craft Guild of Chefs’ Recognising Culinary Heroes Award, held at an exclusive London Reception in late September.

Carmela Magbitang, General Manager at Sunrise of Sonning, said:

“We’re honoured to be nominated for the Catering Team of the Year Award. It is the very least that our catering team deserve as it comprises of some of the hardest working people in the business. They have surpassed expectations of them, under Adriano’s excellent leadership.”

Adriano Carvalho commented:

“I’d like to thank the NACC and Craft Guild of Chefs for the personal nominations and congratulate my catering colleagues for the Team Nomination. It is a pleasure to work for the residents at Sunrise of Sonning, and these nominations recognise our hard work and efforts for them.”