The latest Nutrition and Hydration Week will commence on Monday 11th March and run through to Sunday 17th March.
There are many others around the world from Australia to Canada also looking to take part especially around the Wednesday, 13th, when Afternoon Tea is the focus. Who can’t resist a cake and Scone? The day also sees the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) who will holding their Swallowing Awareness Day.
This year we are running a competition in conjunction with Love British Food who are supporting the week and will focus on recipes using local produce.
The competition has 3 classes that teams can showcase their culinary skills, creativity, and innovation, with a bit of fun built in – with the aim of leaving long-term legacies and inspiration for ALL.
Class One
Produce a traditional afternoon tea consisting of Sandwiches, Scones and Cakes.
They all must be made using British Products only.
At least one sandwich and cake must be suitable for Vegan diets.
Class Two
Produce a traditional afternoon tea consisting of Sandwiches, Scones, and Cakes.
They all must be to The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) stage 4 (Pureed).
Class Three
Produce an Allergen free traditional afternoon tea consisting of Sandwiches, Scones and Cakes
ALL items must meet the 14 ALLERGENS as defined by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/top-allergy-types.pdf
At least one sandwich and cake must be suitable for Vegan diets.
Judges Criteria
- Compliance to each class requirements
- Balanced and costed recipes
- Budget of £4.00 per head or other countries currency equivalent
- Innovational ideas and presentation
- To Have FUN
The three founders of the week – Caroline Lecko, Andy Jones and Derek Johnson – are excited at this new competition.
Andy Jones said: “The Wednesday is a global focus through that most British of institutions an Afternoon Tea, this appears to grab our colleagues overseas to join us in sharing and promoting good nutrition and hydration in health and social care around the globe, whilst having a bit of fun and providing a novel experience for the people they care for. The competition will in class 1 show the commitment to our great British farmers and producers. The other classes show that everyone can enjoy an afternoon regardless of what their dietary requirements are. My aim is for the teams to have fun, with a serious message that afternoon tea is great way of improving Nutrition and Hydration without barriers. My wish is for tea rooms, hotels, cafes to take the lead from Healthcare and Social Care and offer them on their menus so family and friends can all enjoy themselves.
Alexia Robinson added: “Andy Jones is one of Love British Food’s most passionate supporters. Including a focus on the ingredients of a traditional afternoon tea is a superb way of celebrating British food in this year’s Nutrition & Hydration Week. The flour to make the scones, the butter and the cream, jams made with fruit that is in season, even the milk in the tea…I hope NHS catering teams across the country will embrace the opportunity to highlight the British farmers and producers who supply them; and be creative in telling patients about where their delicious tea comes from.” Alexia Robinson, Director and Founder, Love British Food
Closing date for the teams to submit the recipes and photos is 11th March 2024 by email to nhweek@yahoo.co.uk
Further details of the legacy that Nutrition and Hydration Week is building across health and social care can be found here.