Yukana surpasses the taste test
THERE is definitely something special about Yukana Private. Known for many great qualities, including community, care, beautiful gardens, and fun activities, it’s exceptionally hard to choose just one thing that makes Yukana special. If pressed, residents might say it’s the tasty, nutritious food on offer at the village. Residents at Yukana Private have always been treated to quality meals prepared by experienced cooks and, more recently, a qualified chef. These professionals are trained to keep the residents’ nutritional and dietary needs in mind. The latest addition to the Yukana family is chef James, who has over 20 years’ experience in his field. He has worked in Thailand and Scotland, as well as several prominent Toowoomba restaurants. His vast and diverse experience allows him to make exciting, tasty new dishes for the residents, including a recent favourite: beef curry. Betty, who arrived at Yukana more than a year ago, noted the mildness of James’ curry as being perfect for those living in the village. She has been ordering meals from the kitchen twice a week since arriving at Yukana and is considering increasing her orders to every second day. James is always mindful of the residents’ dietary requirements when preparing meals and he enjoys thinking up new and creative ways of preparing the weekly menu. Meal options are influenced by feedback from residents, through the Food Committee. This helps to ensure the highest quality service is provided and everyone’s needs are considered and catered for. Residents are offered a selection of breakfast items every morning, including hot and cold cereals, yoghurt, toast and condiments, and an assortment of beverages. On Saturday mornings, they can indulge in a hot breakfast. Lunch is the largest meal of the day, with a choice between two delicious main meals and a dessert to follow. Guests are welcome to join the residents for a restaurantquality meal any day of the week. Dinner is usually a light meal consisting of a soup, a small main, and a selection of fresh salads from the salad bar. Due to the generous size of the meals she receives at lunch time, Betty often saves her dessert for later. She is thrilled with the convenience of ordering meals from the Yukana kitchen. “I don’t have to think, I don’t have to wash up, I don’t have to cook!,” she said. For residents like Betty, the convenience and quality of Yukana’s food means less trips to the grocery store and less food wastage. “Veggies don’t last that long,” she said, noting she now only has to do a little bit of shopping each time. Yukana managing director Brett Mullen said our requirements and preferences in food changes as we age. “Should the meals prove too large for some residents, they can request a smaller portion when placing their order,” Brett said. He added that some residents at Yukana don’t like certain tastes, or may need their food chopped or pureed, or may have allergies or intolerances. Whatever the situation, the staff at Yukana are able to tailor meals to suit their individual needs. Brett said the services at Yukana Private are very much personalised and relationship based. Great care is taken in ascertaining each resident’s needs when they join Yukana and everything, from their medical care to their food, is tailored to cater to those needs. This is all a part of the person-centric approach to aged care provided by the team at Yukana. Each resident’s personal circumstances are taking into account in every aspect of service delivery, including the provision of food. Brett invites anyone interested in Yukana Private to visit the village, whether it’s for themselves or for a loved one. “Every day is open day — just give us a call to set up an appointment at any time. We’ll show you around, answer your questions, and even offer you a free meal. ”You can judge for yourself —you won’t be disappointed,” Brett said.