Meet the new catering manager bringing artisanal food to Belong Macclesfield's Bistro
There is a new friendly face leading a local lunch spot, that has been going since 2007.
Andrew Chadderton is the new catering manager at Belong Macclesfield, the dementia care specialists have a bistro that is open to the public.
He is only the second person to be catering manager at Belong, following the departure of the long-serving Chloe Henshaw.
Macclesfield Nub News went to Belong on Kennedy Avenue to meet Andrew, and find out more about him and Belong's Bistro.
"I have spent 26 years as a chef," said Andrew.
"I trained as a chef at AstraZeneca Macclesfield for two years. I had a very fortunate experience to have that as my training. You learnt everything from the bottom up."
And while that was his last job in Macclesfield, Andrew has come full circle with a return to the town after 24 years, in this new role at Belong Macclesfield.
At Belong's Bistro, both residents and the public can tuck into breakfast, lunch and roast dinners (on a Sunday).
Residents are served the same menu, and they have the choice to enjoy the food in the comfort of their own rooms, shared communal living space or in the Bistro itself.
"I have found a home here," said Andrew.
"That personal relationship that you garner with our residents, customers, even from bistro customers the outside, is wonderful, it is a really nice feeling.
"Quite often, I will go into the households and eat lunch with the residents."
After running his own businesses' in the trade, Andrew was attracted to the role at Belong for the work life balance it provides, especially so he can spend more time with his children.
"I lost my dad a few years back," revealed Andrew.
"He was in a similar facility. When I was looking for something different [in my career]. I thought I can do something here. Maybe this is my calling."
To help residents that have dementia, food is served on red plates to help it stand out.
This has added an extra layer of challenge to the role.
The former head chef at Stockport Grammar School, leads a team of 12 at Belong Macclesfield's Bistro.
Looking forward, Andrew would like to introduce another herb and berry garden, to Belong Macclesfield.
The idea is, the fruits of this labour can be used for Bistro produce. (Some residents in Belong already grow their own, but this produce currently is not used in the kitchen.)
As soon as he entered the door, Andrew was awe-struck with the convivial atmosphere that Belong Macclesfield, and all Belong villages provide.
"I've not looked back," added Andrew.
"Everyone is looking out for each other.
"Having that ability to socialise and become part of this bigger thing, it is a family here.
"Not just the staff, but the residents too. From the minute I came, I knew what I could do to really help support and maintain what we have here.
"We are looking at introducing various themed days, and evenings, such as a 1930s, 1940s night.
"We are going to get creative with the menu and dressed up.
"My team have been absolutely fantastic, welcoming, brilliant, enthusiastic and embraced all of the changes and progress we are making to constantly better ourselves.
"Some of my team are on NVQ courses now, training them up to be qualified chefs. I have wealth of experience that I want to share with people and train them.
"Somebody once gave me a chance, so I will give people a chance to develop themselves.
"While a lot of my role is office based, I am still in my whites, as I want to teach and ensure we continue to deliver."
Current menu items are flavourful, and affordable, ranging from baked potatoes from £3.40, to omelettes from £3.05.
There is a daily soup from £3.20, and also changing every day are the specials, which allows Andrew and his staff to get creative in the kitchen, and keep things exciting for both the tastebuds of residents, the community, and indeed staff.
Belong staff enjoy eating at the Bistro, with one care worker telling Nub News: "I like having my lunch break here, as it feels like you are in a restaurant."
A new menu is coming later this year, with seasonal and local as the driving ethos.
And Andrew, who grew up in Cheadle Hulme, could not be more excited for his future at Belong.
"The feedback that we have had from our residents has been really, really positive," he said.
"And we would love feedback from the community that comes in to enjoy the Bistro too.
"It makes it so much more rewarding when someone writes something down on a feedback card.
"We are serving fresh, seasonal, well-made food that is cooked with passion.
"We want to share that with the local community and for them to enjoy the bistro as much as we do."
A female resident of Belong Macclesfield, came over during our interview, and was full of praise for Andrew.
"He is really nice, he comes and talks to you, he remembers your name and things about you, and his food is delicious," she said.
Belong Macclesfield's Bistro is open seven days a week, from 8am – 5pm, you can find more about the Bistro HERE.
You can find more about Belong Macclesfield and their services HERE.
The address for Belong Macclesfield is Kennedy Avenue, Macclesfield SK10 3DE.
Belong's Bistro is found towards the right of reception, on the ground floor.
You can follow Belong on Facebook HERE, on X HERE, and Instagram.
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