Today (4 September 2024), the UK’s first dedicated fine dining experience for people with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties (Dysphagia) will be held at Kapara Soho, London. The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and Wiltshire Farm Foods have collaborated on the initiative to give people with the condition a rare opportunity to enjoy a texture modified meal out with loved ones, friends, and carers.

RCSLT President Nick Hewer, who will join today’s diners, said: “Dysphagia affects people of all ages and speech and language therapists play a key role in identifying and managing the condition. Swallowing difficulties often occur with other health issues such as dementia, stroke, and head and neck cancer.They can affect a person’s quality of life, including their ability to socialise with others. So many of our daily interactions with friends and family revolve around food and drink and this can be challenging for people with Dysphagia. That’s why today’s event is so special.”

Diners will be treated to a free lunchtime meal, prepared by Wiltshire Farm Foods’ chefs Phil Rimmer and Jethro Lawrence (a quarter-finalist on BBC MasterChef: The Professionals and finalist in National Chef of the Year). The menu will include a variety of puréed meals such as Pork in Apple Gravy, Salmon in Butter Sauce, Chocolate Cake, and Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Head Development Chef at Wiltshire Farm Foods, Phil Rimmer, commented: “It’s been a privilege to work on the development of our Softer Foods range over 16 years, which enhances quality of life for so many of our customers living with dysphagia. Our puréed meals have been created using quality ingredients and state of the art technology, which ensures consistent smoothness and a safe texture that requires no chewing.”

One of today’s diners 99-year-old, Olivia Shephard, said: “This pop-up is a fantastic idea. To be invited to an event of this kind is such a treat as I never eat out anymore and it’s been invaluable for me to understand more about the fantastic work that speech and language therapists and Wiltshire Farm Foods are doing to help those with dysphagia.”

The award-winning Trowbridge-based food provider develops meals specifically for people living with dysphagia. Its Softer Foods meals have been awarded a Queen’s Awards for innovation in recognition of its puréed range.

The company believes passionately about a person’s right to dine in dignity and its chefs work closely with its team of registered dietitians to create meals which are nutritious and, crucially, safe to eat, as well as meals which are a feast for the eyes and taste fantastic.

ENDS

Notes to editors

For further information contact:

RCSLT

Josephine Olley – Email: josephine.olley@rcslt.org or Mobile: 07710 707183

Cara McDonagh – Email: cara.mcdonagh@rcslt.org or Mobile: 07939 005256

Wiltshire Farm Foods

Sarah Piest – Email: sarah.piest@apetito.co.uk or Mobile: 07971 082140

Caroline Hole-Jones – Email: caroline.hole-jones@apetito.co.uk or Mobile: 07867 987675

Dysphagia describes eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties in infants, children and adults. People with dysphagia often have other health conditions that they are being treated for, which can affect their eating, drinking and swallowing abilities such as a stroke or brain injury.

Early identification and management of dysphagia by speech and language therapists improves quality of life and reduces the possibility of further medical complications and death. Improved nutrition and hydration have an impact on physical and mental wellbeing. For more information visit https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/clinical-information/dysphagia

About RCSLT

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists is the professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK, representing over 20,000 members. It facilitates and promotes research into the field of speech and language therapy – the care for individuals with communication, swallowing, eating and drinking difficulties. It promotes better education and training of speech and language therapists and is responsible for setting and maintaining high standards in education, clinical practice and ethical conduct.

About Wiltshire Farm Foods https://wiltshirefarmfoods.com

As the experts in nutrition, Wiltshire Farm Foods has been cooking home delivered ready meals from its production kitchens in Trowbridge, for over 30 years.

Its team of dedicated chefs – which include a BBC MasterChef quarter-finalist - has developed a range of over 330 meals in its core range and over 80 texture modified meals created specifically for those with swallowing difficulties.

The company has registered dietitians who works closely with the development team to ensure all its meals contain the highest nutritional content possible.

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