Fine Dining at Elliscombe House

We certainly feel very passionate about good food here!

Ben, trained at Somerset College, progressing his catering career from Kitchen Porter to Head Chef. Ben has managed several professional award-winning kitchens, predominantly in fine dining restaurants and the gastro pubs industry.  Ben’s preferred style of food is Modern English with an element of classic French. This enables Ben to serve those traditional favourites that the residents are familiar with and enjoy whilst adding a modern twist - because you’re never too old to try something new!

Residents can choose to eat in our spacious dining room or the orangery overlooking the lawns. In warmer months they may also wish to dine alfresco on the sun terrace or enjoy a cream tea on the lawn.

Our residents can choose to lunch or dine with friends and guests, or in their rooms. Our restaurant menus offer fresh, seasonal ingredients that have been grown within our grounds or locally sourced; and a selection of drinks, fresh fruit, and homemade cakes are available throughout the day and night. 

Our exclusive monthly restaurant evenings offer the opportunity for residents to spend time and socialise with friends and family. These events are enjoyed by residents who appreciate the atmosphere and experience of fine dining with a touch of silver service. Residents can also enjoy a tipple from the Elliscombe House Bar!

We had a wonderful afternoon sharing a Taster Menu with residents:

Our wholesome and nutritious meals are locally sourced and freshly prepared in our kitchens, from our breads to petit fours. We cater to all dietary requirements whilst still ensuring the residents have a varied and exciting menu.  Ben’s passion for using the freshest ingredients has led him to grow a mixture of our own produce in an area within our grounds; in our ‘kitchen’ garden, we also purposely use raised beds to offer our residents the opportunity to assist in the growing of our produce, in which they take great pride. Using our own produce, we proudly offer a selection of homemade chutneys, jams & preserves.

Our restaurant menus change weekly and seasonally.  On any given day, our Catering Team can be found creating dishes such as Roasted Venison Loin, truffled butternut puree, celeriac fondants with a chocolate jus; or local pheasant breast, with pheasant leg bon bon, pickled red cabbage, caramelised apple, and a truffle dressing. Our restaurant menus include everything from smoked salmon to medallions of beef fillet, with blue cheese and smoked oyster sauce.

Providing food that everyone enjoys and can eat is, for some, a delicate balance between health and quality of life.

At Elliscombe House we understand that a genuinely great dining experience is when our residents’ needs are anticipated, and expectations are exceeded.  However, there is often tension between food as a determinant of health, a source of risk for the individual, and a key component of quality of life.  After sourcing specific training and specialised equipment, the Catering Team at Elliscombe House has been practicing relentlessly to ensure all our meals meet the needs of each resident. Our driving focus is to serve food that is packed with flavour, full of nutritional value, and pleasing to the eye.

"We are trying to focus on good nutrition and providing a ‘dining experience’, so that our residents want to eat and look forward to mealtimes. In the ageing population, a risk of malnutrition has been recognised in as many as 1 in 7 of the elderly; sadly, the prevalence is even higher for those living in care homes. Similarly, there are also risks associated with excess body weight and obesity."

At Elliscombe House our Catering Team understands the residents’ needs for good nutrition. Involving our residents in growing our produce within our grounds elevates the sense of nutritious fresh ingredients, additionally prompting a desire to taste produce they have worked hard to grow.  Excellent presentation and a delicious aroma are as equally important to taste.  Food that looks beautiful does taste better!

We hope that other care providers see us as an example of how the culture of dining in a care environment can be changed for the better. By using ingredients that have been grown at the home, the residents are playing a part in the delivery of their meal, as they may have done in younger years; and they also have the opportunity to try out new things. Those requiring special diets are fully included, as they would be in a restaurant, meaning that everyone at Elliscombe House can look forward to sharing mealtimes together, or with family and friends.