Meallmore has been named a finalist in the Care Catering Award category at the 2026 Public Sector Catering Awards, recognising the organisation’s commitment to raising standards in care home hospitality, nutrition and dining experiences across its homes in Scotland.

The prestigious awards celebrate excellence across catering operations in the public sector, including services delivered within schools, hospitals, universities, prisons, the armed forces and care homes. They recognise individuals, teams and organisations who are driving innovation, quality and leadership in catering environments that support some of society’s most important services.

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony taking place on Thursday 9 April 2026 at the London Hilton Metropole, bringing together leading professionals from across the UK’s public sector catering community.

Being shortlisted in this national category highlights the strength of Meallmore’s hospitality approach and the organisation’s ongoing investment in food quality, nutrition and resident wellbeing.

Celebrating Excellence in Care Catering

The Care Catering Award specifically recognises organisations and teams delivering outstanding catering within care environments. Judges look for evidence of innovation, nutritional excellence, resident engagement and the ability to create meaningful dining experiences that support health, dignity and quality of life.

To be recognised alongside such respected names in the sector reflects Meallmore’s growing reputation for hospitality excellence within care settings.

Hospitality at the Heart of Care

At Meallmore, hospitality is seen as an essential part of delivering high-quality care. Dining is not simply about nutrition – it is about creating social moments, encouraging independence and ensuring residents feel valued and supported in their daily lives.

Across its 27 homes throughout Scotland, Meallmore places a strong emphasis on food quality, menu variety and personalised dining experiences. Teams work closely with residents and families to understand preferences, cultural requirements and dietary needs, ensuring meals are both enjoyable and nutritionally balanced.

Menus are developed to provide variety and seasonal choice, with a focus on fresh ingredients and presentation that reflects restaurant-style dining rather than traditional institutional catering.

This approach recognises that mealtimes often represent key moments in the day for residents, providing opportunities for connection, conversation and comfort.

Driving Standards Through the Academy of Kitchen Care Excellence

A major factor behind Meallmore’s recognition is the organisation’s Academy of Kitchen Care Excellence, an award-winning training and development programme designed to raise standards in care home catering.

The academy focuses on equipping hospitality teams with specialist skills in areas including:

• Nutritional care for older adults
• Texture-modified diets and IDDSI compliance
• Low-sodium and specialist dietary requirements
• Presentation and hospitality standards
• Food safety and kitchen leadership

Through structured training, mentoring and professional development, the programme ensures chefs and kitchen teams across the organisation are able to deliver meals that meet both clinical nutritional needs and hospitality expectations.

By investing in people and training, Meallmore is helping to reshape perceptions of care home catering, demonstrating that high-quality food and dining experiences can play a central role in wellbeing.

Supporting Dignity and Wellbeing

Food and dining environments play a significant role in maintaining independence and supporting physical and emotional wellbeing for residents.

At Meallmore, the catering teams work alongside care and clinical colleagues to ensure that meals support both health outcomes and personal dignity. For residents living with dementia or those requiring specialist diets, thoughtful menu planning and presentation can help encourage appetite, maintain nutrition and reduce stress around mealtimes.

Initiatives such as flexible dining times, adapted menus and personalised meal options ensure residents retain choice and control over their dining experiences.

This holistic approach is one of the reasons Meallmore has gained recognition within hospitality and care sectors alike.

Recognition Across the Sector

The Public Sector Catering Awards shortlist comes during a period of strong recognition for Meallmore across multiple areas of the care sector.

Earlier this year the organisation was named one of the Top 20 Large Care Home Groups in the UK by carehome.co.uk, based entirely on verified reviews from residents and their families. This recognition reflects consistent standards across the organisation’s homes and the trust placed in Meallmore by those who experience its services first-hand.

Meallmore has also received recognition at the Scottish Care Awards, celebrating excellence in innovation, activities and workforce development within the care sector.

Together, these achievements highlight the organisation’s commitment to continuous improvement across all aspects of care home life - including hospitality.

Looking Ahead

As Meallmore approaches its 40th year of operation, the organisation continues to invest in new homes, workforce development and service innovation.

Upcoming developments include:

• Pitfodels Wood Care Home in Aberdeen, opening soon
• Sutherland House Care Home in Broughty Ferry, scheduled to open in 2027
• A further development planned in Clarkston, East Renfrewshire

These new homes will combine modern design with Meallmore’s established hospitality and care standards, ensuring residents benefit from both high-quality environments and exceptional dining experiences.

Celebrating the Teams Behind the Success

While the awards recognise organisations, the success of Meallmore’s catering programme ultimately reflects the dedication of its hospitality teams across Scotland.

From chefs and kitchen assistants to home managers and care colleagues, delivering high-quality dining experiences requires collaboration, creativity and genuine commitment to residents’ wellbeing.

Being named a finalist in the Public Sector Catering Awards 2026 is therefore a collective achievement - one that recognises the hard work of the many teams who ensure residents enjoy nutritious, appealing and meaningful meals every day. The winners will be announced in April, but reaching the shortlist alone is a significant milestone that highlights Meallmore’s growing reputation for hospitality excellence within care.