Good food feeds the body, but great food enriches the soul! At Berwick House in Gordan Head and Berwick Royal Oak, dining is more than a meal – it’s an experience crafted with care and passion.
Executive chefs Ken Waterman and David O’Neill ensure residents enjoy fresh, made-in-house meals, diverse dining options and specialty culinary events that foster connection and delight the senses.
"We have spent a lot of time changing how our residents think about food in community living," says Ken Waterman, executive chef at Berwick House. "New and prospective residents, as well as their family and friends, are often blown away by how delicious and diverse the food at Berwick is."
From chef demonstrations to themed dinners and community events, the kitchen teams at Berwick House and Berwick Royal Oak continually refine their skills and enhance the dining experience. Just this March, Chef Ken and his team baked 400 cookies for the Victoria Cougars' 100-year anniversary, underscoring Berwick’s strong community ties.
Fresh, local and thoughtfully prepared
“At Berwick, we prioritize fresh, local ingredients,” Chef Ken says. “We source our bread from 6 Mile Bakery, dairy from Island Farms and B.C.-grown seasonal produce.”
Chef David, from Berwick Royal Oak, notes they even use ingredients grown in their gardens, including apples, plums, blueberries and an expanding collection of herbs.
Every menu at Berwick is reviewed by a dietitian to ensure balanced, nutritious meals. Resident feedback is also key, with regular meetings between residents, executive chefs, and food and beverage managers shaping the evolving menu.
Residents can also host celebrations in Berwick’s private dining rooms, creating intimate gatherings with family and friends. These special occasions become even more meaningful as residents collaborate directly with chefs Ken Waterman and David O’Neill to design custom menus featuring cherished family recipes, childhood favourites and dishes they once shared with loved ones. These personalized dining experiences celebrate each resident’s unique culinary history, blending treasured memories with the joy of life at Berwick.
Variety is the spice of life!
At Berwick, residents can enjoy elegant restaurant-style dining, a casual meal at the Bistro or a coffee break at the Coffee Shop at Berwick House. Those at Berwick Royal Oak can relax at the Shield & Dragon Pub, where they’ll find a creative menu alongside classic favourites like fish and chips, burgers and chicken pot pie.
With a focus on fresh ingredients, innovation and exceptional service, Executive Chefs Ken Waterman and David O’Neill make dining at Berwick House and Berwick Royal Oak a highlight of daily life – filled with flavour, warmth and community.
Learn more about Berwick Retirement Communities online at berwickretirement.com. To book a tour of Berwick House in Gordon Head, contact Linda MacDonald at 250-853-5492. For a tour of Berwick Royal Oak, contact Kathy McAree at 250-419-4012.
For a closer look at what Independent Living has to offer and where to get started, download Berwick's new E-book, The Berwick Journey: Where to Begin When Considering Independent Living.
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