Kind-hearted catering manager recognised for supporting residents during pandemic
A kind-hearted catering manager has been recognised for supporting residents at Wrekin's independent living schemes during the coronavirus pandemic.
Jacob Perry, The Wrekin Housing Group's Regional Catering Manager, won in the key worker category at BBC Radio Shropshire’s Make a Difference awards.
A chef for over 30 years, Jacob was nominated in recognition of his work at the group’s ShireLiving housing schemes for the over-55s.
He was praised for helping tenants throughout the pandemic by assisting them with their shopping and providing them with healthy, nutritious meals.
The awards were designed to celebrate the efforts of community heroes who love to make life better for others.
Jacob said: “It’s a huge honour to have won this award as we’re all about making a difference to people’s lives at Wrekin.
“The Covid pandemic was a really challenging time for everybody but by working together we were able to make sure our tenants had access to food and other essential supplies whilst staying safe.
“Food plays an important role in people’s health and wellbeing and we often got notes back from residents with smiley faces or saying thank you which was really nice.
“I couldn't have won this award without the help and support of the people who work within our ShireLiving schemes so this is a testament to all of their hard work as well.”
Paula Reynolds, Head of Retirement Housing at The Wrekin Housing Group, said: “Jacob has always shown a positive and caring attitude towards our tenants and I’m delighted that his efforts have been recognised in this way.
“During the Covid pandemic, Jacob and his colleagues went above and beyond to make sure our tenants could still get food, shopping and other essentials, without the need to go out.
“He has a fantastic relationship with tenants who live in our ShireLiving schemes and I know they will be thrilled for him as well.”
Jacob’s passion for food started at his grandparents’ family-run hotel, where he worked in the kitchen and restaurant after school.
After training at the Birmingham College of Food, he worked as a commis chef at celebrity chef Brian Turner’s Knightsbridge restaurant.
Jacob later returned to Birmingham and took up management training at The Swallow Hotel, where he was part of a team which won a prestigious Caty award in 1992.
He has since travelled extensively, gaining a wealth of knowledge on different cuisines and also worked as a development chef for a leading catering company.
Jacob joined The Wrekin Housing Group in 2009 and in recent years has overseen catering at the ShireLiving schemes, developing affordable, tasty and nutritious menus for their onsite cafés.
5th October 2022