A multi-award-winning Head Chef at an Ashford care home is celebrating after inspiring the launch of an industry-first blend of teas, specifically formulated to taste significantly better than normal teas when thickened for residents on modified diets.
Anna Sudak, Head Chef at Care UK’s Montfort Manor, on Kennington Road, inspired the launch of Care UK’s ‘Next Level Tea’, a revolutionary and industry-first tea range exclusively developed to enhance the tea-drinking experience of residents with dysphagia.
Dysphagia is the medical term given to difficulty swallowing, a common symptom for older people, especially those living with dementia, Parkinson’s and many other conditions. Those living with dysphagia are often required to adopt a modified diet incorporating thickened liquids, to lower the risk of aspirating when drinking fluids.
Adding thickening agents to liquids can often compromise the flavours, leading to those on modified diets drinking less and facing dehydration.
Anna’s many awards are a result of her going above and beyond for residents, putting herself in their shoes to see how she can better her catering offering for them, particularly those on modified diets. One such example of this is when she adopted the same modified diets that residents are frequently on, including only drinking thickened liquids.
Speaking about her experience, Anna said: “When I decided to experience what it’s like to be on a modified diet, I didn’t realise how challenging it would be. It was very difficult—food didn’t have the same texture, and I was always full, not wanting to eat. However, I was constantly thirsty, to the point where I would wake up in the middle of the night needing a drink.
“Being on thickened fluids didn’t quench my thirst or leave me feeling refreshed, and it made me realise that my favourite drinks tasted different, especially my tea. I really missed my morning Earl Grey because it just didn’t taste right.”
After overhearing Anna speak about this, her colleague Andrew Mussett, fellow nutrition expert, chef and Care UK’s Hotel Services Manager, began to consider the drink options available to residents.
Care UK’s Next Level Tea was exclusively developed as a result of this, in partnership with boutique tea company Tea From The Manor, to provide a tasty solution for residents that would support their hydration and overall wellness. Four unique blends were created, including green tea and mint, red berry, English breakfast, and Earl Grey.
With 21% of Care UK’s residents on a thickened diet due to dysphagia, the introduction of Next Level Tea is especially significant. The tea blends brew more quickly than regular teas, allowing a stronger flavour profile even when thickened, providing residents with a delicious, refreshing option that supports hydration without compromising on flavour.
As the inspiration for the teas, Anna was given the opportunity to try the blends herself in the development phase and see how residents responded to them.
She said, “When I was asked to try new blends of tea, I was excited, and they did not disappoint! I realised how important a great blend of tea is. My favourite turned out to be the red berry blend! That’s now my new go-to, along with green tea and, of course, Earl Grey. After just a few sips, I knew that if I ever had to go through the modified diet experience again, I wouldn’t struggle with thirst. I would drink this tea all day long, and the residents loved the blends too!
“Working in the care sector makes you realise how important food and nutrition are, especially as we age. It’s crucial that we raise awareness about good nutrition and hydration, and that’s exactly what the Care UK hospitality team does. When I spoke with Andrew about my experience, I could tell right away that he was already thinking about how he could improve residents’ experiences and enhance their lives. He has gone above and beyond to find ways to make hydration a positive experience—even for those on thickened fluids. I am so proud to be part of the Care UK hospitality team!”
To mark the launch of the tea, Montfort Manor also hosted an Afternoon Tea for residents and their relatives, with an opportunity to taste the new blends.
More information about Care UK’s Next Level Tea, which is now being introduced in all 165 Care UK homes, can be found here: careuk.com/next-level-tea
Montfort Manor is a purpose-built care home which has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care for older people in Ashford, as well as short-term respite care, and incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, including its own cinema, hair salon and café.
