Bring vitality to life
Dining
Bring vitality to life in our Dining Team
Our Dining Team creates wholesome, nutritious meals to enjoy across our restaurants and dining rooms. Bringing a can-do attitude and friendly approach, our team members are committed to delivering high-quality dining options in an environment that fosters social interactions.
Typical Roles
Food and Beverage Attendant: Our Food and Beverage attendants are always available in our Dining rooms. They strive to provide a unique catering experience in a caring and homelike environment for all residents.
Chef/Chef Manager: As culinary experts, our Chefs bring life to the table with quality catering services that meet the needs of residents, visitors, staff and operational requirements.
Our People Stories
McKenna
Chef Manager
What I love about my job is the residents. It's amazing to see their faces light up when they see me and how they remember little things about you, like my daughter's ballet recital. I think to myself when I’m talking to them that it's part of my job, but I realise when I see them again that they listen to everything I have to say. That means something to them, and it's what makes me come back every day.
Growing up, I was raised by a single mother. I had to learn how to cook from a young age and came to love it. Cooking is also an art. You can go anywhere with it.
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Before joining Aveo five years ago, I worked at Parliament House, which involved working many nights and weekends. I looked at different aged care places, but it wasn't really anything I wanted to put my name on. It was when I came across Aveo, saw their menus and what they were doing, and I was like… it's real food!
The biggest thing I've learned about myself while working here is to believe in myself. Aveo makes me feel that I am supported at work; that my ideas are valued no matter my position, and I will always have opportunities to move forward with the company. Opportunities for growth are shared regularly internally and you can access Aveo Learning at any time too.
Before I started, Albany Creek Retirement Village only had two functions a year. Now, we have about 60 events and the restaurant is filled three nights a week. There’s a real vibe here now. Positive working environments are so important; it creates an amazing work ethic and a sense of belonging, and this then breeds a thriving community. Residents often come to me with event suggestions and collectively we create events such as wine tours, sporting competitions and dinner events. It’s exciting to see how the residents feel confident because they were heard and that helps create a sense of ownership of their village.
Recently, Aveo head office nominated Albany Creek Retirement Village in the 2023 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards of Excellence. We were all really proud to be named as a finalist after one of our functions was judged. Then at the awards ceremony, we were so excited to come out winners for our category - Industrial/Institutional Caterer in South East Queensland.
The hardest part of my role, being an empath, is you feel for the residents like they are your own grandparents. However, I also believe it is up to us to re-educate people on retirement living. It is no longer the 'end of the line'. At Aveo, it is more like a cruise ship that never leaves. It's a community where everyone is invited and family is welcome.