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The Toowoomba Hospital is set to deliver a Christmas experience that will delight patients, with a specially designed menu and festive touches that create a sense of home and holiday spirit.
From apple-stuffed waffles with caramel sauce and whipped cream at breakfast to salmon and prawns with bearnaise sauce, mashed sweet potato, and green beans for dinner, the menu has been carefully planned to ensure every patient can enjoy a special Christmas meal.
Darling Downs Health Manager Catering Services, Emma Bradford said the catering team love to make the meals extra special at Christmas, acknowledging that a hospital is not where most would choose to be on Christmas Day.
We know that food is the highlight of everyone’s day at Christmas. People pretend presents are the main thing, but it’s really not—it’s the food
Darling Downs Health Manager Catering Services, Emma Bradford
“We take so much pride in doing that little bit extra to make the day special for patients.”
Preparation begins as early as October, with ingredients sourced from local suppliers and staffing rosters adjusted to meet the demands of the season.
“Our chefs have been thinking about this for weeks, including trialling the dishes to make sure they produce the best Christmas meals for our patients,” said Ms Bradford.
The catering team comprises more than 120 staff members and is the largest facility services workforce in the hospital.
Emma said many of the team put their hands up to work Christmas Day as it’s an opportunity to create joy for others.
“It’s about knowing you can brighten someone’s day. For many patients, food is the highlight of their day spent in hospital.”
In addition to the festive menu, patients will receive lolly bags with chocolate Santas and candy canes, hand-delivered by catering staff to help spread Christmas cheer.
Assistant Manager Catering Services, Lauren Brady said that the patients really appreciate the effort, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We often receive special notes written on the back of menus and we like to display these on staff notice boards as a reminder to our whole team of the impact their work has,” said Ms Brady.
The catering team provide fresh meal options for patients including gluten-free, vegetarian dishes, texture-modified meals, and paediatric-friendly plates, ensuring inclusivity across all dietary needs.