100% Reduction in Recipe Errors | 260% Improvement in Kitchen Efficiency | 5x Increase in Staff Productivity

Located in a peaceful neighborhood just a little away from Perth’s coastline, this multi-facility aged care homes offers a serene environment for its residents. With the soft sound of waves creating a soothing background and the gentle breeze adding to the refreshing weather, it provides a comforting and homely atmosphere for elderly residents. Known for its reliable aged care services, the facility is a trusted name in the aged care community, ensuring high-quality care for its residents.

When the facility expressed their immense satisfaction in Centrim Life, we decided to speak to some key staff members to understand how our residential aged care software proved transformational in their facility. Isla Thompson, Facility manager, Lachlan Mitchell, Kitchen Chef Manager, and Olivia Davies, Kitchen Staff, shared their experience of using Centrim Life to resolve catering challenges within their homes. 

Overcoming Recipe Management Challenges in Aged Care

The Challenge of Managing Multiple Kitchens

As part of a multi-facility aged care home with 15 locations under its supervision, the facility was facing significant issues in recipe management. The kitchen chef manager was responsible for designing menus and overseeing kitchen operations, but ensuring consistency of food quality across multiple locations was a major challenge.

Traditional methods of recipe management relied on manual paperwork, printed recipe sheets, and verbal communication, leading to errors, miscommunication, and inefficiencies in food preparation. Without a centralized system, ensuring that all sites followed the same standard operating procedures (SOPs) was nearly impossible.

“Our biggest concern was consistency. We needed to make sure every meal was prepared to the same standard, but with so many locations, it was hard to track. We were relying on paperwork and phone calls—it just wasn’t sustainable,” says Isla Thompson, Age Care Home manager.

Consequences of Inefficient Recipe Management

The lack of a proper recipe database and standardized process led to several operational challenges:

• Inconsistent meal quality across different sites resulted in dissatisfied residents and risks of regulatory non-compliance.
• The kitchen staff faced increased workload due to constant clarifications and adjustments. 
• Errors in ingredient measurements, leading to food waste and additional costs.
• Compliance risks due to deviations in nutritional requirements and dietary standards.
• Staff frustration from miscommunication and last-minute recipe changes.

Lachlan Mitchell shares his side of the story,“It was my job to ensure consistent meal quality across all locations. But supervising 10+ kitchen teams was stressful. Almost every day a resident would make a special request and the kitchen staff had no way of knowing if that change was permissible. I was overwhelmed with calls and queries!” 

Hesitations in Implementing a New System

The aged care home direly needed a better solution to manage its recipe database. However, it still had several concerns about implementing a digital system:

• The care home was spread across multiple locations. Would the software help integrate teams across all facilities? 
• Is it easy to create a recipe database and make it accessible to kitchen staff teams? 
• How does the software handle dietary restrictions and allergies? 
• How does Centrim Life ensure that meals are tailored to individual dietary needs? 
• What kind of feedback mechanisms are available in these software systems? 
• What are the main benefits of using aged care catering software for meal planning? 
• Can aged care software automate the ordering process for ingredients? 
• How does the software reduce human errors in meal preparation? 
• What role does the software play in ensuring meal freshness and quality?

“My team was hesitant about switching to a new system. We were handed out instructions in printed form. That’s how we’ve always worked. Change isn’t always easy. We had tried similar software before. But it had no option for real-time communication. And the support was pathetic. We needed something reliable, easy to use, and well-supported,” confides Olivia Davies, Kitchen Staff.

Finding the Right Solution

During their search for a dining management solution, the aged care home came across Centrim Life’s free demo offer. The demo provided them with in-depth guidance on effectively using the software. They were delighted with features that included:

• The option to create a recipe database: The kitchen chef manager could set up a recipe database that all kitchen teams could access. Centralising the database and sharing recipes across teams helped save a lot of to and fro calls. 
• Instant messaging: In case of queries, kitchen staff could immediately clarify doubts and coordinate with the kitchen chef manager in real time.
• Integration with existing clinical systems: Centrim Life could be merged with clinical systems so that the menu would reflect dietary recommendations and restrictions for individual residents.
• Convenience of the mobile app: Centrim Life’s mobile app ensured that kitchen teams could access all necessary information on the go. No more fumbling for recipes, instructions, or allergen information. 

Impressed with these capabilities, the facility moved forward with implementation.

“We were searching for something that actually worked for everyone – the chef, the kitchen staff, caregivers and residents,” said Isla Thompson. “Centrim Life ticked all the boxes—recipe management, communication tools, user-friendly platform, and real-time access for all staff. It just made sense for us.”

Impressive Results

The results were immediately visible. Centrim Life’s automation ensured menu planning aligned with each resident’s dietary needs, allergen data, and preferences. Dietary restrictions were easily managed—staff could input resident details into the system, and the software would automatically tailor meals accordingly.

The kitchen staff and kitchen chef manager were particularly impressed with the way this residential aged care software improved their work processes and outcomes:

• Kitchen staff had easy access to the centralized recipe database, allowing them to follow standardized recipes and prevent errors. Now, the kitchen staff had clear instructions on ingredient measurements, preparation methods, and meal presentation. 
• The software reduced last-minute meal prep stress. Kitchen staff could access recipes in advance, ensuring they had enough time to prepare meals accurately. The automated ingredient ordering system also minimized waste, prevented stock shortages, and ensured fresh, high-quality meals. 
• Even when the kitchen chef manager wasn’t physically present at each facility, food quality remained consistent. Centrim Life also introduced a real-time feedback system, allowing kitchen staff to report issues, request clarifications, and receive guidance instantly. This continuous feedback loop helped maintain meal quality and operational efficiency.
• Transitioning from paper-based to digital recipes significantly improved workflow. The kitchen chef manager could now create and share recipes instantly, communicate updates, and provide support across all locations.The ability to supervise and communicate with all teams in real time made daily operations more efficient. 

By digitizing operations, Centrim Life eliminated common human errors—precise ingredient measurements, standardized meal preparation, and automated compliance checks became the norm. Most importantly, the facility valued Centrim Life’s responsive customer support, ensuring quick resolutions to any queries.

“Centrim Life is different from all the aged care solutions out there,” remarks Lachlan Mitchell. “It simplified everything—meal planning, recipe database management, and communication. Our kitchen staff are happier, and residents appreciate the personalised meals. The support team has been fantastic.”

The Right Choice for Aged Care Recipe Database Management

With Centrim Life, the facility in Perth improved their catering operations across all facilities. The kitchen chef manager could now supervise all kitchen teams in real-time, leading to enhanced efficiency, communication, and meal quality. The shift from printed recipes was a huge relief for the kitchen staff. They felt more confident about their work, and residents enjoyed nutritional meals tailored to their needs. The facility now recommends Centrim Life to other aged care providers looking to modernise their dining operations, reduce meal errors, and maintain compliance.

“We’d absolutely recommend Centrim Life,” said Isla Thompson. “It’s made our lives easier. The digital recipe database is just what we needed to coordinate all our kitchen teams. Everything works like clockwork now!”

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