Matt Dodge, executive chef at dementia specialist care home Chelsea Court Place, features in the inspiring new series The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes, airing from 12 June at 9pm.
The four-part series follows a group of individuals, all of whom are living with early onset dementia, as they work in a restaurant pop-up under the guidance of Dodge who takes charge of the kitchen operation, working alongside Michelin Star chef Josh Eggleton.
The series, which was filmed in Bristol over a six-week period, aims to raise awareness of dementia as well as highlight to prospective employers that an early dementia diagnosis does not mean the end of that person’s employment prospects.
Dodge’s great passion is working in dementia care and his ambition is to help raise the standard of care home food. His culinary expertise combined with his intrinsic first hand knowledge of working with individuals living with dementia ensures he delivers the very best food and dining experience for all, both when working at The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes and at Chelsea Court Place.
On a weekly basis, Dodge and his team conduct culinary masterclasses with residents at Chelsea Court Place where they work together to create, bake and taste different foods. He truly believes that involving the residents in meal preparation helps improve their confidence and heightens their enjoyment of food.
He says: “Following recipes together and creating meals is a fantastic way to engage individuals living with dementia, helping to stimulate their appetite and giving an immense sense of purpose and achievement.
"Simple tasks such as beating eggs, sifting flour, mixing and stirring ingredients are ideal jobs to give as they are vital to the recipe, yet low risk. It’s important to give clear instructions in short, non-complex sentences.”
