Cooking Up Christmas - Anne-Marie Ward head cook at Rosepark Care Home

Anne-Marie Ward, head cook at Rosepark Care Home in Uddingston  

With only two Christmas Day shifts off in the last 30 years, Anne-Marie Ward, head cook at Renaissance Care’s Rosepark Care Home in Uddingston, has been looking forward to cooking up a storm for residents this Christmas.

Inspired by a childhood spent cooking and baking alongside her mother, aunt and grandmother, Anne-Marie went on to graduate with a home economics degree in 1985. In 1992, Anne-Marie secured a role cooking in a care home and has been with Rosepark care home ever since.

Anne-Marie noted: “I have always loved looking after people, especially through food. When I was approached to work in the kitchens at Rosepark, it felt like a brilliant opportunity which I knew that I would get a lot out of, whilst putting my degree to good use.”

“On the run up to Christmas and on Christmas Day it’s particularly special for me as I don’t have my own parents anymore, so serving up a freshly made Christmas feast with all the trimmings is really special and takes me back to Christmas Day with my family who also loved their food.

“Throughout my time at Rosepark I have had the great opportunity to meet resident’s families too. The staff, residents and relatives have built a family-like-relationship so it’s a great time to enjoy some quality time together. Seeing each of their faces light up when I serve them their meals lets myself and the team know we are doing a good job. It means a lot to us that they’re enjoying their food.

“On Christmas Day we all come in wearing Christmas scrubs and try to make it as cheery as possible. This year we’ve transformed our Café into a Winter Wonderland for the residents to enjoy, particularly those who are bed bound. This gives them a nice space to visit for a hot chocolate and a mince pie in a comfortable recliner, letting them sit back and relax.”

Starting at 6am on Christmas Day, Anne-Marie and her team will prepare and serve up lunch for the residents by 12pm, swiftly followed by a Christmas sing song and a party. The residents will then settle for the evening, before being served a buffet for supper to end the day.

Following a day of festivities with the residents, Anne-Marie will head home at 4pm and spend the rest of the day celebrating with her husband.  

Renaissance Care caters to residents who have modest care requirements to those who need 24-hour nursing assistance. To find out more, view our home locations here