Meet Suraj | Hospitality Manager Residential Aged Care

What makes a residential aged care community truly feel like home?

It’s the perfect blend of a warm, inviting atmosphere, devoted and compassionate staff, and thoughtfully crafted meals that foster an undeniable sense of belonging. Today we meet Suraj Ligade, Baptcare’s Hospitality Manager, to explore how his passion for care and culinary excellence nourishes both the bodies and spirits of our treasured aged care residents.

At Baptcare, we pride ourselves on serving healthy, nutritious and delicious meals to our aged care residents, designed to tempt all palates. That’s why Suraj and his team work hard every day to deliver a premium dining experience across our communities, carefully tailored to meet the health and wellness goals of each resident.

“We actively seek feedback from residents and families to ensure ongoing satisfaction with our catering,” explains Suraj. “It’s important to regularly update the menu and respond to residents’ feedback.”

Variety is, indeed, the spice of life – something that Suraj himself experienced early in his career in Travel and Tourism, enjoying visits to exotic locales and ports of call. However, his passion for cooking led him to pursue a new path – and new home – in Australia.

“I began my career planning holidays and eventually served as Regional Sales and Marketing Manager for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises for eight years,” says Suraj. “It was an amazing career and I travelled to stunning destinations aboard luxury cruise ships. But I decided to change tack and move to Australia to train as a certified Pastry Chef.”

Suraj worked in a variety of culinary settings but eventually found his calling in healthcare catering. No doubt, this was due in strong part to his desire to make a positive impact through food and nutrition.

“In 2022, I began a catering support role at Baptcare, as part of a pilot program to transition 13 homes to in-house catering,’’ he says. “Now, as Hospitality Manager, I oversee all aspects of catering, cleaning and laundry services across our 16 residential aged care communities in Victoria and Tasmania.”

A journey of hard work and determination

Passion alone is no guarantee of success, though. Training and development go hand in hand with Suraj’s natural flair for food to ensure an exceptional dining experience for our residents. He completed a Bachelor Degree in Arts and Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management to ensure he brought a solid understanding of best practice to his work.

“Looking ahead, I want to pursue certification in Training and Assessment, as well as a Master of Business Administration,” says Suraj. “These qualifications will help me continue to develop my expertise and leadership abilities in the industry.”

Effective teamwork is also essential to uphold the consistently high standards Suraj sets across Baptcare’s service delivery. “To meet the dietary and nutritional needs of our residents, I take a personalised approach while collaborating with healthcare professionals, dietitians and culinary staff to create tailored meal plans,” he explains. Together, the team needs to meet a range of health requirements, cultural preferences and personal tastes. Resident feedback is integral to their approach.

Resident-centred hospitality

“The feedback from our residents is quite positive and I see every comment as a valuable opportunity for improvement,” he says. “Our residents say that they appreciate the variety we offer them, the nutritional value and the care we take in our meal preparation. We cater to various requests, including vegan, keto, FODMAP, comfort foods and culturally specific dishes.”

Ensuring consistency across the dining experience in 16 homes in two states requires constant focus. “I collaborate with the Operations, Kitchen and Catering Teams to establish clear communications, standardised processes and quality control,” Suraj explains.

“We conduct regular audits and gather feedback to drive continuous improvement. It’s through this collaboration and close monitoring that we can ensure a uniform dining experience that meets the high standards expected by our residents.”

His plans for the future include incorporating more local and seasonal ingredients, focusing on more personalised meal options and integrating technology to provide residents with greater meal choice and autonomy over what they are served. “We’re also excited to explore more sustainable practices and create engaging dining experiences to foster a sense of community and wellbeing for our residents,” says Suraj.

Passions and inspirations

Away from work, Suraj still loves cooking while relaxing at home with his family. “Spending quality time with my wife and kids, exploring new places and creating lasting memories is always my highlight,” he reflects. Apart from spending time in the kitchen, he also loves music, gardening and following Formula 1. “Above all, nothing beats the joy of taking long drives in my 2017 Mustang GT!”.

His motto in life is simple yet meaningful: Live, Love and Grow. “It’s a reminder to embrace each moment, cherish the relationships around me and continuously strive for personal growth.”

Suraj points to four incredible women in my life who have been his greatest sources of inspiration:

“My mother, who taught me that no job is too big or small when you approach it with passion and determination.

“My sister, who encouraged me to face my fears head-on and confront challenges directly.

“My wife, who has always motivated me to take bold steps forward, offering unwavering support – even when things didn’t go as planned.

“My daughter, who reminds me to embrace the unknowns and treasure every precious moment, no matter how small.”

Tips for building a rewarding career in aged care hospitality

As to what advice he would give to someone looking to start a career in Aged Care Hospitality, Suraj’s counsel is simple. “If you have a genuine passion for food, a love for enhancing others’ lives through memorable dining experiences and a deep sense of care and compassion, this will be one of the most rewarding careers you could choose.

“Aged Care Hospitality offers the unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, ensuring that every meal not only nourishes but also brings comfort, joy and connection to those who need it most.”

Food for thought indeed.

Thank you, Suraj, along with your incredible Hospitality Team and the allied health professionals you collaborate with, for ensuring there’s always something fresh and delicious on the menu for our aged care residents. We are deeply grateful for the passion and dedication you bring to your work at Baptcare every day.

Keen to join the Baptcare team and work with people like Suraj to make a real, meaningful difference in our community? Click here for more details.