A group of men who are residents at Aveo’s Shortland Waters Retirement Living community in the Hunter have discovered the recipe for wellness and friendship.
The retirees are savouring the joy and benefits of cooking healthy, fresh meals under the guidance of retired chef and fellow resident Ken Harris.
After a long and distinguished career in kitchens in major hotels including Hilton and Hyatt, running his own restaurants and teaching at TAFE, Ken now shares his skills with the men’s social cooking group he created.
“My wife and I moved to Shortland Waters in 2020, and I realised a lot of the older men in the community didn’t cook and if they did, they had a limited repertoire of standard fare,’’ Ken said.
“So, I had an idea of getting them together to take part in a cooking group with the added benefit of friendship.
“I think our first meal was a two-course roast and apple crumble. Shortland Waters’ on-site commercial kitchen and large dining room have been perfect for us.
“We have a focus on learning to make meals that are balanced, healthy and include side salads and vegies.’’ The group of eight has grown in confidence and now caters for regular dinner events for around 75, including their partners and other residents, who pay $15 to cover the cost of ingredients.
“I plan the menus, organise the preparation and purchasing. We run like a restaurant and can’t keep the diners waiting,” Ken said.
“It has become so popular I’m often asked to organise more dinner events, but I have to remind everyone that I’m actually retired!”
The men have moved on from roasts to lasagne, beef ragout, and risotto and have even mastered chicken roulade.
Ken says any food leftover is frozen and provided to other community members who might need a little extra support.
“We created ‘wellness meals’ that are available free of charge to any resident who may have just left hospital and are recovering from surgery,’’ he said.
Ken says the cooking group has been beneficial for both body and mind.
“All the guys get along so well. Close bonds have been formed over the pots and chopping boards as we discuss anything and everything.
“Some who were just neighbours have now become friends who, with their wives, go away together on holidays and cruises.’’
Shortland Waters’ health and wellness focus extends to its lifestyle offering, set beside the 18-hole Shortland Waters Golf Club. Several residents are keen golfers who enjoy the convenience of taking a short stroll from their front doors onto the course.
Residents of Shortland Waters also enjoy an array of on-site amenities, including a flourishing community garden, gym, salon, arts & crafts room, cinema, resident bar and workshop, plus access to The Forum Sports & Aquatic Centre's facilities.
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