6 May Panel Discussion
A wonderful crowd gathered on the morning of May 6th for the Maggie Beer Foundation’s panel event at Tasting Australia, shining a spotlight on the power of good food in aged care.
Moderated by Maggie Beer AO, the panel featured Foundation CEO Jane Mussared, Jessica Zilujko from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, John Boland from the Institute of Hospitality in Healthcare (IHHC), and Michael Burton of Resthaven Incorporated. Each brought a unique perspective, but all shared a common goal: ensuring older Australians have access to food that is full of flavour, dignity, and care.
Chef Mark McNamara brought this message to life with his mushroom and lentil sausage rolls, a wholesome snack designed to suit an aged care menu. He then demonstrated how this same dish could be adapted for those requiring a texture-modified diet, drawing comparisons to fine dining, where purees, foams, and gels are celebrated for their elegance and presentation. The tasting left a lasting impression and illustrated that texture-modified food can still be beautiful and appetising.
The passion among the panel was unmistakable. In closing, Jane Mussared reflected on the core of the Foundation’s mission: “Beautiful food makes a beautiful difference to the lives of everyone, no matter their age.”
Events like this are a powerful reminder that change is not only possible, but also already happening in kitchens and communities.
