James Martin’s project is to popularize hospital food in the country.
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James’ crusade for hospital food has been supported across the industry.
British Dietetic Association
“The British Dietetic Association has gone through the progression charts a lot with James and the resulting recipes, which we are very pleased to approve, will be a welcome addition to the hospital’s catering toolbox. We are convinced that they will have a positive effect on the quality of food served to patients.
Hospital feeding campaign
“James’ remarkable efforts to improve food for patients at select hospitals have been incredibly successful and have shown that it is conceivable that budget-operated hospitals serve high-quality, nutritious food made with local ingredients. Alarmingly, Scarborough Trust General Hospital is considering finishing the hospital’s kitchen, jeopardising James’ efforts to improve patients’ food. Most likely, improvements to the hospital’s food will be limited and temporary, unless the government forces all hospitals to adopt the catering standards, which James and his team have brought to a number of hospitals, adding Scarborough General Hospital.
Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham
“ROH was in danger of switching from a classic food service to buying cook-chill,” writes Emma Bridge, “something I didn’t want to happen, but I also knew that food service had to change. The opportunity to work with James Martin presented itself and it was a threat I was willing to accept, but has this threat been worth it?
Well, the facts speak for themselves. . . Our patient satisfaction is now 90%, waste is 10% and some days it’s even lower!Restaurant profits have increased up to 32% and we have reviewed all of our suppliers and are now under budget. So what did James do?” We had a passionate team, but it was necessary to bring them together. James was given dirty and painted hands with the catering team to train and motivate them. It helped us see that we can use suppliers without it costing us more. Certainly, I have had to work hard to make sure that local providers can meet the highest criteria required, but it pays off not only for our patients but also for the local economy. James is also under pressure over the importance of restoration within the hospital. “It’s been a lot of hard work and we’re still trying our service, but if I had the choice, I’d make the same decision, because it’s paid off and will continue to do so in the long run!
“After a few tense moments, the kitchen team realized he was on their side. “
Series 2 manufacturer on how to convince a hospital to open its doors to cameras
James was shocked to find that 40 percent of the food was thrown away, food service was paralyzed due to massive overcrowding and threatened to close, and there was no formula for assessing how many other people they were cooking for, or what they would like to eat.
Visit BBC Food to find out more about James’ paintings in hospitals.