Bristol Eating Better: Katherine & Griffiths House

In the latest in our series spotlighting Bristol Eating Better Award holders, Nicola Deschamps (pictured left) shines a light on Bristol Eating Better Gold holder, care homes Katherine House and Griffiths House. If you are involved in a food business in Bristol, find out how to sign up for certification.

Located on the edge of Westbury-on-Trym, care homes Katherine House and Griffiths House provide residential and specialist dementia care to 49 residents, some of whom are centenarians. Part of the Cote Charity, the care homes have made healthy food and good nutrition a central part of their individual approach to residents’ care.  

Prepared on the premises, the head chef and his catering team offer residents, visitors and staff a variety of dishes, including meat, fish and vegetarian options. Cooked to order, the team produce fresh food three times a day, plus homemade cakes and other treats in between. Nutritional needs change with age, so well-balanced meals tailored to individual needs help improve and support residents’ physical and mental health wellbeing. 

The team considers taste, texture and colour, along with portion sizes and the sugar and salt content of the dishes prepared, to ensure each resident is well-nourished, maintains a healthy weight and enjoys their food. A selection of smoothies, herbal and fruit teas and mineral water helps keep residents hydrated, and those with specific dietary needs are also accommodated. 

Visitors are invited to share meals with their loved ones, helping to strengthen bonds and keep family members connected. For staff members working shifts, nutritious and hearty meals play an important role in helping them maintain their energy levels throughout their busy schedules.  

The wellbeing team for both care homes organises regular events and activities, often centred around food. Regular initiatives, like the One Wish Project, allow residents to have a special wish granted, such as having a favourite dish cooked to order, enjoying a private dinner with a guest or dining out to celebrate a special occasion. The ‘go on a cruise’ initiative introduces residents to different countries and includes themed activities and opportunities to sample foods from various cuisines.  

The team also runs a gardening club for residents, using raised beds to grow herbs and salad vegetables that are then used in the kitchens. Baking activities give residents the opportunity to make cakes, biscuits and chutneys, which are then sold to support the Cote Charity. The physical activity involved and the social experience of these activities have proved beneficial to the residents taking part, who feel a sense of pride in their efforts.  

The team’s commitment to providing healthy, nutritious meals, reducing food waste and promoting environmental sustainability earned them the Bristol Eating Better Gold Award in March 2025. The Bristol Eating Better Award (BEBA) initiative celebrates local businesses, including schools and early childhood and adult social care caterers, who are committed to offering healthier food choices and promoting food and environmental sustainability.  

The BEBA award boosted staff confidence in their strategy, demonstrating the benefits of personalised care and supporting their choice to use Brakes, a UK food supplier that offers locally sourced products in sustainable packaging, delivered by a low-carbon fleet. To reduce food waste in the kitchens, the chef and his team monitor and adjust menus to reduce waste. Food scraps are then composted and used by the residents’ gardening club.   

The award application process proved a valuable learning experience, highlighting areas for potential improvement and encouraging the team to strive for excellence. The award criteria motivated them to make changes and raised awareness among staff and residents. The team are proud of the award and uses it to promote the charity and their work with residents. 

The charity aims to continue making improvements. It plans to expand its dementia care facilities by enlarging the existing care homes and exploring the use of technology to support residents with mobility difficulties.  

On Saturday, 26 July between 12.30 and 3.30pm, Katherine and Griffiths House are hosting a Wild West Country Care Home Summer Fayre. There will be stalls, rodeo sheep rides, barn dancing, face painting, an American-style buffet and entertainment by the West Country Wurzels tribute band.  

For more information about the Cote Charity and Katherine & Griffiths House, contact Sue Thorne on sthorne@katherinehouse.co.uk.  

If you are involved in a food business, find out more information about how to sign up for an award and how other companies have benefited at the Bristol Eating Better Award website.

Read Nicola’s profiles of BEBA holders Momo Bar in St Nicholas Market and Little Grey Horsebox.

To stay updated on future events, job opportunities and news, don’t forget to sign up for the Bristol Good Food Update at bristolgoodfood.org/newsletter. 

Nicola Deschamps is a registered nutritionist, author, and editor: targeteditorial.co.uk.

Photos by Oliver Wilde.