Dishes Rivas chefs are the best again

Niels Bron, Niels Zillig and Robin Schaap, chefs from Rivas Care Group, have won the finals of 'the Best Menu of Care' again this year. A unique achievement because they were the first to win twice in a row.

The final took place Wednesday, March 13, during the Zorgtotaal fair in Utrecht. 'We think it's important that more attention is paid to good, tasty and healthy food in healthcare,' says Niels Bron. 'It is therefore fantastic that we now go home with the first prize again. A special achievement of which we are enormously proud.'

Taste is the most important thing
The competition was created with the idea of encouraging cooks in healthcare to put together a varied menu every day. 'We have an eye for a healthy and diverse meal, but taste is always the most important thing,' says Niels Zillig. 'After all, food has to be tasty.' When preparing the meals, the cooks therefore take into account changing tastes of, for example, patients in the Beatrix Hospital and residents of the Rivas locations. 'When cooking for residents, we think about the diminished sense of smell that has changed the taste,' says Niels Bron. 'For a meal for people with cancer, for example, it is again important to consider altered taste due to chemotherapy.'

Good, tasty and nutritious meal
'The Best Care Menu' has to meet quite a few conditions. 'It's about the preparation, execution and construction of the menu,' explains Robin Schaap. In addition, the menu must not be more expensive than €4 per person. It's about taste, color and presentation of the dishes. Together we have put together a beautiful menu of which we are proud. We have shown that a good, tasty and nutritious meal does not have to be expensive.'

First prize again
The cooks received a prize of €5,000 from chef Pierre Wind. 'With their participation in this competition, the cooks wanted above all to show that a tasty meal is important for residents and patients,' says Bert de Bruin, facilities team leader at Rivas. 'After all, it makes a positive contribution to physical, mental and social well-being. We don't yet know exactly what we will do with the prize money. But we will certainly organize something for residents and patients.'