Five-star dining delights residents at BaptistCare Shalom

Every quarter, the onsite chapel at BaptistCare Shalom residential aged care home in Macquarie Park, NSW, is transformed into an elegant candlelit restaurant, complete with three-course menus, carefully matched wines and mocktails, crisp table settings and attentive table service. Behind the experience is Chef Manager Kamlesh Bhatt and his team, who bring hotel-style dining to residents and families. 

The Candlelight Dinner has become one of the most anticipated events on the Shalom calendar, with around 70 residents and family members gathering to enjoy an evening that rivals a hotel dining experience. 

Kamlesh, who brings a hotel hospitality background to his role, spends weeks designing each seasonal menu. Every dinner is different, with contemporary dishes, creative presentation and thoughtful touches that surprise and delight guests.  

Despite the restaurant-quality experience, every meal is carefully prepared to meet residents' individual dietary needs, allergies and texture requirements, ensuring no one misses out on the occasion. 

The latest dinner (see image of the menu below) began with warm watermelon salad, heirloom tomato, goats' cheese and bull’s blood beets. Guests then had the choice of pan-fried king salmon with octopus or grilled chicken, both served with baked beetroot polenta, cauliflower blossom and butter beans. Dessert was a vanilla tart topped with exotic fruit and a crown of caramel. 

Hotel Services Manager NSW/ACT Stuart Walton said the event was as rewarding for Kamlesh and his team as it was for residents. 

“Kamlesh is incredibly passionate about creating something special every time,” Stuart said. 

“It’s an opportunity for him and the team to be creative and showcase what’s possible. They put an extraordinary amount of effort into every detail, from the menu design and food presentation to the table settings and service,” he said. 

Stuart said the response from residents had been one of the highlights of the initiative. 

“At the end of most dinners, the whole team receives a round of applause, which is a wonderful recognition of the care and pride they’ve put into creating such a memorable experience,” he said. 

The event requires significant planning alongside the kitchen’s daily responsibilities, but Stuart said the smiles around the room made every extra effort worthwhile. 

In a note shared with his team after the latest dinner, Kamlesh thanked staff for the care they brought to the event, saying their “dedication, teamwork and attention to detail” had helped create an exceptional evening for residents and families. 

Kamlesh said the positive feedback from residents and families reflected the team’s hard work and commitment, and that their efforts had helped set a new benchmark for future events. 

For residents, the Candlelight Dinner is much more than a meal. It's a chance to dress up, share an evening with family and friends, and enjoy the excitement of an experience that feels every bit as special as dining at a five-star restaurant.