We’re delighted to introduce Leon Burns, our head chef here at Barty. Leon has many years’ experience of creating attractive and tasty meals for pubs, bars, restaurants and now care and nursing homes.
Leon, who works at Barty for Caterplus, a leading care catering supplier, came to our home in 2023 after a happy year at our sister home, Tunbridge Wells Care Centre and, before that, several years working as head chef for a Kent-based care home group.
A determined self-starter, Leon learned how to cook aged 15 while living by himself in a hostel. They say that necessity is the mother of invention and so, being short of funds, Leon began combining seemingly unlikely foods to make palatable meals for himself. Having discovered how much he enjoyed this, he decided to make cooking his career. While still an apprentice baker, he netted two prestigious baking association awards in one year – for the best Victoria sponge and the best cheese scones in Kent. After this, Leon was well and truly on his way!
Other competition success followed in 2009, this time in Poland. While Leon was doing voluntary work on an ecological farm for the British Council, he put together the winning menu and a set of recipes, despite tough opposition.
Over the years since then he’s worked in bars and restaurants, managed his own pub and built up a portfolio of five pubs around Kent. When the hospitality business was hit by the pandemic, Leon decided on a change of direction, putting his talents to good use within health and social care.
It’s a busy role here at Barty. Leon manages the kitchen as well as developing and customizing menus, attending resident meetings and acting on feedback, to ensure that the dining experience at Barty fulfils everyone’s nutritional requirements. “It’s not just about what’s in the food, though. We eat with our eyes,” he says, “which is why food should look appealing as well”.
Making food look as appetising as it is nutritious is important for Leon. He has trained with food giant Nestle and the National Association for Care Catering to ensure that his food is the best it can be.
Residents at Barty regularly enjoy meals from different countries and cultures – Italian, Indian and Thai are great favourites. Leon also works with the activities team to incorporate food into themed events, such as D Day.
“Like music, food is really evocative of past times. Residents remember what they ate and how this made them feel when they were young, so it’s important to incorporate this element into their activities. It’s also a sensory experience to handle and roll dough or sprinkle cheese, which many of them enjoy. It’s so great to see them enjoying making and eating pizzas and sausage rolls or mixing and decorating cakes,” he says.
Away from work, Leon is married with two boys aged 13 and 8. The youngest is already showing an aptitude for baking.
When asked what he most likes to cook at home, he has no hesitation: “Roast dinners!” he replies immediately. “That’s why residents at Barty enjoy not just one, but two roasts a week.”
Leon has recently been selected as a finalist at Caterplus’ HCRL Chef of the Year 2024. He will be facing some very stiff competition at September’s grand final in Edgbaston, but the residents and staff at Barty will be wishing him the very best of luck!
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