More than just a meal: Peter Mac kitchen dishes up comfort and care
06 March 2025
Amid the bustle of bubbling pots and moving trays in the Peter Mac Kitchen, Head Chef Kevin Pham leads his team with a ready smile and busy hands.
Today is Hospitality in Healthcare Day – a day to shine a spotlight on a team that’s largely unseen but works tirelessly to provide vital care to patients during their hospital stay.
Beneath the centre above, a team of 30 staff chop, stir, roast, fry and wash in tandem, working together like a well-oiled machine to expertly roll out an abundance of delicious meals.
Kevin’s team currently serve 120 patients a day. This adds up daily to an incredible 1500 to 2000 individual meals.
“The main challenge we face is satisfying every patient’s unique needs, because it’s a big group of people and everyone is different,” Kevin says.
“With one menu item you have to adapt to meet a variety of needs in the hospital. Details like texture, softness, and dicing food up to small bites need to be included, as well as allergies.”
The kitchen not only ensures that patients receive the right nutrients but also experience the comfort of a well-prepared, thoughtful meal during a challenging time.
Director of Allied Health Associate Professor Alicia Martin says good nutrition plays an essential part of cancer care, and the kitchen team’s “expertise and compassion make a real difference every day”.
“Every meal they prepare is carefully designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of people undergoing cancer treatment, helping them stay strong and nourished,” A/Prof Martin says.
“We are incredibly proud of all of the significant work our hospitality team does day in and day out to provide our patients with the best possible care for their stay.”
Food Services is currently working on a new menu that will debut in April. Kevin is collaborating with Peter Mac’s dieticians and the speech pathologists to craft a menu that best suits everyone’s unique needs.
As Peter Mac’s patients come from diverse cultures with different palates, a survey was conducted to poll them about their favourite meals. These results will be taken into account as the team devises the new menu.