The Llys Cyncoed kitchen team, which is led by head chef Jamie Christopher Farrell, went all out with a traditional Welsh menu, featuring Welsh cakes, Bara Brith, and tasty soups, alongside a live singer treating residents to rousing Welsh classics.
The team's year-round commitment to traditional Welsh cuisine is evident in their bilingual menus and often sees special dishes like laverbread with cockles shared at dinner.
Farrell commented: “Celebrating St David’s Day with traditional Welsh recipes is incredibly important to us here at Llys Cyncoed. Food has a powerful way of connecting people to their heritage and, for many of residents, these dishes bring back comforting memories of family gatherings and community celebrations.
“Using traditional recipes isn’t just about serving a meal — it’s about honouring Welsh culture and creating meaningful moments. The familiar smells and flavours can spark conversations, stories and smiles, which is a privilege to witness.”
At nearby Llys Herbert, they created a traditional Welsh feast and their cakes will be served with salted Welsh butter - a special request from the residents themselves. Their dinner will be accompanied by a live harpist and will be followed by a sing-along session.
All Care UK teams take a 'dining with dignity' approach, serving meals with respect and compassion. They engage with residents, involve them in menu planning, and cater to individual needs and preferences.
John Law, head chef at Llys Herbert, said: “At Llys Herbert we understand that good, nutritious food is of vital importance. We work with residents to create menus that are tasty and different, but that honour local produce.
“We have worked closely with the Welsh dietetics team to ensure that we are providing good quality food in everything we do – and we find that using locally sourced, high-quality ingredients makes all the difference. By cooking traditional Welsh delicacies on St David's Day, we are creating a chance for residents to reminisce about their lives and giving them something to share with loved ones.”