Community Chef opens new, $24 million kitchen

Community Chef has today opened the doors of its new, $24 million kitchen with a launch by the Federal Government’s Minister for Health and Ageing, The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP,
and the State Government Minister for Mental Health, Community Services and Senior Victorians, The Hon. Lisa Neville MP.

Community Chef is a collaborative project between all levels of government to ensure the food security and the nutritional wellbeing of older adults and other vulnerable people.

Gabriel Gaté, the Community Chef Patron who provided advice on meal choice and menu, was Master of Ceremonies and is an ongoing and committed supporter of the project.

“Community Chef will create good quality, nutritious meals in this new kitchen, and the 20 member Councils will provide them to people who require assistance due to frailty or disability. As a food lover, I think there can be no greater way to demonstrate our care for those needing community support. It is an incredible project,” said Mr Gaté.

The kitchen's design has been led by world renowned French Architect, François Tesnière, of 3bornes ARCHITECTES in Paris, who attended the launch.

The design has won international awards and been rated by the French food services magazine, Neo-Resterauration, as one of the five most important innovations in the kitchen, alongside the microwave, ultrasonic washer, induction cooking and disposable packaging.

Mr Bill Jaboor, Chair of Community Chef’s Board and Chief Executive Officer of Hobsons Bay City Council, said the new kitchen is revolutionary.

“The Community Chef kitchen uses the latest technology and techniques. It is one third smaller than facilities with similar capacity, and has a lower level of energy use through limited refrigeration, less chemical waste by using ‘e-water’ and lower carbon emissions."

“The overhead rail system transports refrigerated boxes, or ‘cesars’, which move food through production stages, removing the need for trolleys, ensuring separation of raw and cooked food and increasing food safety and occupational health and safety.”

Community Chef expects to make 1.5 million meals per year.

EVENT DETAILS
Thursday, 19 August 2010. 10.00am (12pm site tour)
43-47 Drake Boulevard Altona 3018 (Melway Ref: 54 G7, H6)

MEDIA / EVENT CONTACT
Trisha Love, Customer Relations Manager, Community Chef 0439 267 380
Hayden Raysmith, CEO, Community Chef 0407 826 775

RUNNING ORDER
10.15 The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP, and The Hon. Lisa Neville MP - arrive
10.30 Gabriel Gate (MC) – welcome
10.45 Bill Jaboor (Chair, Community Chef) - speech
11.00 The Hon Lisa Neville MP - speech
11.30 The Hon Nicola Roxon MP – speech
11.45 Ribbon cutting, plaque unveiling - photo opportunities
12.00 Michael Ulbrick – Community Chef Board Member – wrap up
12.10 Tours of the kitchen

BACKGROUNDER - COMMUNITY CHEF
Community Chef is a collaborative project between all levels of government working together to meet an expanding need for delivered meals.

There are 20 participating member Councils who will begin providing Community Chef meals to their residents over 2010-2012.
Start dates are:
· 1 December 2010: Booroondara, Casey, Greater Dandenong, Manningham, Monash, Bayside.
· 1 January: Brimbank.
· 1 February: Greater Geelong, Macedon Ranges, Stonnington, Yarra, Melton.
· 1 March: Banyule, Darebin, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Moonee Valley, Moreland.
· Mid 2011 Surf Coast.
· Mid 2012 Port Phillip.

The Regional Kitchen Project began five years ago as Councils became increasingly concerned about the security of supply, quality, variety, nutritional value and price of meals for the Home and Community Care program (HACC).

The provision of delivered meals through HACC is a partnership between the Commonwealth, State and local governments, with Councils carrying the greater proportion of costs.

Community Chef is a leading edge model of service provision that will significantly upgrade the quality of delivered meals programs including meals on wheels.

Being able to home deliver high quality, nutritious and diverse meals is a key part of helping frail aged and disabled residents to continue living in their own homes and be part of their community. It’s a key part of caring for our whole community.

Community Chef will be run with a broad community engagement focus and for the launch event hospitality students from the Victoria University School of Hospitality will provide catering while learning about the Community Chef project and engaging with chefs with significant catering expertise.