A chef-turned-hospitality manager from Barry is celebrating after striking gold in the final of the social care industry ‘Oscars’.
Jenny Crofts, who is Hospitality Services Manager at Hallmark Regency House in Ely, Cardiff, owned by Hallmark luxury Care Homes, was jointly crowned Gold winner in the Excellence in Catering category, sponsored by Castell Howell Foods Ltd, in this year’s Wales Care Awards.
The 56-year-old mum, from Rhoose Point, near Barry, has become an integral part of life at Regency House since joining in 2023, and colleagues say she will go ‘above and beyond’ to ensure mealtimes are not just about nutrition but about joy, dignity and community.
Whether it is organising candle-lit ‘private dining’ experiences or ‘cheese and wine’ events for the home’s 70 residents, nothing is too much trouble.
Now she is the toast of the industry after jointly scooping the top gong at this year’s Wales Care Awards, sponsored overall by Meddyg Care and organised by care industry champions Care Forum Wales.
The awards recognise the outstanding frontline heroes of the care sector, with all finalists guaranteed to come away with either a gold, silver or bronze prize in recognition of their achievements.
Jenny collected her award at a glittering awards ceremony held at Holland House Hotel in Cardiff.
“I was completely overwhelmed and so thrilled to share the award, it made it even more special,” said Jenny, who has three girls aged 25, 23 and 20 and a 17-year-old son.
“My eldest daughter, Kari Morgan, came with me and the rest of my family were watching the event on Youtube and social media! They were all so proud.
“I don’t think anyone goes into care for the money, you go into care because it’s a calling. It’s a career I didn’t intend to go into but once you’re in it you stay because you see the impact you have on people’s lives. It’s lovely to be recognised and appreciated for what you do.”
Jenny trained in catering at Barry College and took on her first role in a staff canteen before working in bar management and then finding employment as a second chef. She entered social care in her late 20s, progressing to Deputy Hospitality Services Manager at another residential home, where she remained for 25 years until she was made redundant.
She joined Regency House two years ago as the Hospitality Services Manager and is now responsible for overseeing all the home’s catering operations, leading a 25-strong team from domestic and laundry to kitchen and maintenance.
The role still allows her to step back into the Head Chef’s shoes whenever it is required and satisfy her passion for cooking.
“People cook things in different ways and there’s a need to keep everyone happy and experiment with their meals to get it right,” she said.
“I ask the residents their likes and dislikes and make sure the menu reflects them. We have a small area in our garden where the residents grow a small number of vegetables as part of a gardening club, it brings them back to times when they produced their own food and enables them to enjoy the benefits of that.
“They see the full circle of food preparation and we try to keep their interest in the smells, the textures, and the enjoyment it brings.
“We celebrate different cultures throughout the year, and they will often have activities focused around that. If they are able, we invite residents to say a few words about their own background.
“We have a multi-use room, and we’ll dress it up as a dining room to host Christmas events where family members and friends can come and share a three-course meal with a resident.
“We also serve afternoon tea and host celebration buffets, and cheese and wine events and there’s a café area. It’s providing that sense of normality and a community space.”
Colleagues say Jenny’s most outstanding qualities are her compassion and empathy.
Christine Ivins, Customer Relationship Manager at Regency House, said: “I had the pleasure of nominating Jenny for this award because of her compassion, creativity, and dedication to ensuring that every resident enjoys mealtimes that are inclusive, dignified, and filled with choice.
“Jenny goes above and beyond every day to make a real difference, and I am so proud that her hard work and kindness have been recognised on such a prestigious stage. Congratulations Jenny – this recognition is so well deserved.”
Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of the Care Forum Wales, said the Wales Care Awards once again shone a light on the “unsung heroes and heroines” who make a vital difference to the lives of vulnerable people across the nation.
He said: “For more than 30 years, Care Forum Wales has worked tirelessly to champion the social care sector.
“The Wales Care Awards underlines the importance of the sector – it’s the glue that binds our communities together, both socially and economically.
“Our mission has always been to be the voice of social care in Wales to stand up for the workforce and ensure their dedication is properly recognised.”
A special moment in the evening when Mair Elis Thomas, widow of the late Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas, took to the stage to present one of the awards.
According to Mr Kreft it was a touching gesture that reflected Lord Elis Thomas’s long-standing support for the Wales Care Awards and for social care more broadly.
“Dafydd was a passionate believer in the power of the arts to enrich lives and support wellbeing and mental health,” said Mr Kreft.
“He is greatly missed, but his legacy lives on – not only through his contribution to public life as a Presiding Officer, but also through the positive impact he had on so many communities.”
