The Hawthorns Braintree Wins Best Food & Beverage Service Team

As part of the Avery Healthcare Group, the Hawthorns recognises and celebrates excellence, passion and hard work as an integral element of our values. Throughout the summer, Avery Healthcare and the Hawthorns group colleagues nominated their peers for the annual Avery awards.

Having been shortlisted as finalists in two categories in the Avery awards, the staff team at the Hawthorns Braintree were delighted to be the winners of the ‘Food & Beverage Service Team’ award and recognised as runners-up in the category for the best overall team.

Hawthorns Braintree Team

Having previously been recognised as runners-up for the Customer Service Excellence award in 2019, winners of the award in 2021, and finalists in 2022, the team at Braintree are dedicated to the needs and well-being of residents.

When it comes to activities, the team often throws surprises, much to the delight of residents. Afternoon teas become prosecco tea, and during December, residents found small gifts awaiting them each day inside stockings on their door.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the team continued to provide a calendar of socially distanced activities and events. In recognition of the dedication shown by staff members across the Hawthorns group, Hospitality Assured presented the Hawthorns with a special Covid-19 Resilience Award.

One resident shared their experience: “I have always found the staff here excellent and very helpful.” Another resident spoke of the front-of-house team, praising their ‘polite, helpful and efficient manner.’

Food & Beverage Service Team

Led by Head Chef Grant Burton and Sous Chef Terry Clark, the culinary team at Braintree provide a restaurant-standard experience. New residents are welcomed to a meeting to discuss dietary requirements, and menus are created and amended using suggestions gathered from resident feedback. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the team ensured residents continued to receive the full menu, with plenty of surprise dishes to keep morale high.

Commenting on the services provided by the culinary team, one resident stated, “Our Head Chef and kitchen staff are all very hardworking, cheerful, and always have a smile. They know your name and are a happy team who work together so well.”

Speaking of the awards, General Managers, Paul and Sandra Tripney stated, “We are both extremely proud of the Food and Beverage team for winning this award across the whole of the Avery group. We have an amazing team who are dedicated, committed and 100% focused on ensuring our residents are happy, healthy and thoroughly enjoying living at the Hawthorns Braintree.”