Recipes
Head chef at senior care home is deeply loved by residents – and these pictures show us why
"I just wanted people to see the happiness my brother brings to the residents." 👨🏼‍🍳🥰
Michael Dabu
08.17.20

“Once you decide on your occupation… you must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. Never complain about your job. You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. That’s the secret of success… and is the key to being regarded honorably.” – Jiro Ono

Pexels/cottonbro
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Pexels/cottonbro

Chefs are people who invest years in cultivating their talent in the kitchen. They put so much love, passion, and dedication into their work.

They don’t just simply cook delicious and mouth-watering dishes, but they also present food that is almost too beautiful to eat.

Meet our star!

Bored Panda/Yvonne McDonald
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Bored Panda/Yvonne McDonald

Chef Kevin works in a care home in Perthshire, Scotland, and he is adored by the people there.

Well, you might already know the reason why, don’t you? He takes his job seriously, thus, he prepares delicious food that is equally-sumptuous with what Michelin-starred restaurants have.

The best part of his cooking is that he also involves the residents in coming up with the menu.

It’s time to let the world know about Chef Kevin’s great works of art.

Bored Panda/Yvonne McDonald
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Bored Panda/Yvonne McDonald

If it weren’t for his sister Yvonne, his creative dishes would still be being made completely in the shadows.

Thankfully, his sister decided to share pictures of Kevin’s hard work which are so beautifully and thoughtfully plated.

Pretty soon, the whole world came to know of the great and exceedingly kind Chef Kevin.

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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

“I am extremely proud of my big brother and we are always discussing food and recipes,” Yvonne told Bored Panda. “I have recently become vegan and I work in a nursery so I am always asking him for ideas! When he shared these photos with me, I just thought, ‘Wow, I need other people to see what he does.’ During this strange time of the COVID-19 lockdown, care homes have had it tough and I just wanted people to see the happiness my brother brings to the residents.”

Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985
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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

Yvonne also wanted to know how the people would react to her brother’s dishes- and the way he prepares the food for the people in the care home.

So far, the response from people has been amazing.

“Kevin is overwhelmed by all the positive comments that everyone has left. We both hope that his ideas and recipes will inspire others to try out new things within the kitchen,” Yvonne said.

Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985
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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

Yvonne also said that her brother is not just a Chef but also a very loving husband and a father of two.

“My brother is 42 years old with a very happy, cheerful and easy-going personality. He loves to make people laugh and is the kind of person that lights up a room when he walks into it.”

Knowing how busy he is, it makes it extra special that he is always so willing to go the extra mile for his elderly eaters.

“He has a busy life juggling all of this but somehow continues to bring love and passion to his cooking.”

More about Chef Kevin.

Right after leaving school, it was 1995 when Kevin became a full-pledged Chef.

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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

He said,

“I had been working at the local chip shop after school for a couple of years. My cousin who had just become a chef at a hotel outside my town decided he didn’t enjoy it and left. With a little encouragement from my mother, I contacted the hotel to ask if there were any jobs available (secretly knowing that there was) and unlike my cousin, found out that I actually have a passion for cooking.”

Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985
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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

Jumping to the year 2005, when he’s already married. He was looking for a job and luckily a care home was looking for a head Chef.

The best part of working in care is the interaction with the residents,” Kevin narrated. “We plan the menus together and we even have tasting sessions which is great fun (this also gives me a chance to try something different for myself and the residents).”

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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

The residents at the care home, their families, and Kevin would try some of the new dishes from the menu.

He wants everyone to be involved in the creation of the dishes on their menu.

“They all have scorecards and if a new dish scores high, it goes on and if it’s bad, we discuss how to change that dish to make it better. The residents always look forward to their meals and it feels good to know that they have had a lovely home-cooked meal,” Kevin explained.

Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985
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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

Kevin puts so much passion, time, and dedication to his profession that sometimes the new residents will even try to pay for their meals.

“The smile on their face when I explain to them that it’s all been paid for. Every day is different and that’s why I love what I do.”

Feed your eyes with Chef Kevin’s dish gallery below- and try not to drool.

A tower of sweets?

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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

Fresh, scrumptious turkey pinwheels, anyone?

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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

Fancy Yorkshire puddings to add a touch of sweetness to your day?

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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

Are you drooling yet? If not, these broiché cinnamon rolls are sure to get the ball rolling!

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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

Duck and fondant potato? That looks yummy, too!

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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

Such an elegant presentation for tasty veg pakora!

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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

Some more high-tea cakes to round out your tea-time.

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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

A whole array of Yorkshire puddings to match anyone’s cravings!

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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

We bet that the residents love seeing this sight everyday!

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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

Kevin must really love cooking!

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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

He definitely loves the people in the care home.

Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985
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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

Good job Chef Kevin!

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Imgur/yvonnemcdonald1985

We need more people like Chef Kevi-n who doesn’t only love their profession but also the people they serve.

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