Supporting lasting improvements in aged care kitchens
The Trainer Mentor Program is the Maggie Beer Foundation’s flagship education initiative.
Over 12 months, aged care homes work with experienced chef trainers to improve food quality, cooking skills and the overall dining experience for residents.
This program is about building the skills, confidence and systems needed to create lasting improvements in aged care kitchens.
Through hands-on mentoring, practical training and structured coursework, kitchen teams learn how to cook food that is delicious, nutritious and enjoyable for residents.
How does the program work?
The Trainer Mentor Program runs over 12 months and combines practical mentoring, structured learning and implementation in the kitchen.
Participating homes work closely with a Maggie Beer Foundation Chef Trainer who supports the kitchen team to improve cooking practices and dining experiences.
What participation involves
Homes commit to:
- working with a dedicated Chef Trainer
- completing structured coursework and learning activities
- testing and implementing improvements in the kitchen
- attending training sessions and milestone meetings
- sharing progress with the Foundation team, residents and other homes.
The program is designed to support real change in the kitchen, which means active participation from the home is essential.
Key components
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Chef Trainers visit participating homes to work directly with kitchen teams.
During these visits they:
- cook alongside staff
- demonstrate techniques
- review kitchen systems
- support improvements in flavour, nutrition and presentation.
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Structured learning help teams:
- understand the nutrition needs of older people
- improve cooking techniques
- strengthen menu planning
- review current kitchen practices
Coursework is for embedding lasting change.
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Between visits, Chef Trainers continue to support homes through:
- virtual meetings
- phone and email support
- guidance on implementing improvements.
Participants also gain access to the Professional Community platform.
Is this program right for your home?
The Trainer Mentor Program works best when:
- providers actively support the kitchen team
- homes provide time for staff to participate in training
- kitchen teams are open to learning and trying new approaches
- homes are ready to implement improvements.
If your organisation is committed to improving food in aged care, this program provides the tools and support to help make it happen.
Hear from participants
Ready to take the next step?
Improving food in aged care starts with practical support and a willingness to learn.
The Trainer Mentor Program provides the guidance, training and mentoring needed to help kitchen teams deliver food that residents genuinely enjoy.
Applications are coming soon!