Meals in residential and service centres have long been more than just food for many Gent residents. The city recognises the importance of mealtime as a social moment, aiming to enhance these experiences for its elderly population. On 2025-05-14 17:34:00, Gent announced a new collaboration to bring more flavour and connection to the table.
- Residents value meals as social moments
- City of Ghent enhances meal experiences
- Astrid De Bruycker promotes senior care
- Collaboration with Wim Ballieu improves meals
- Meals aim to increase taste and connection
- Focus on creating cozy dining atmospheres
Astrid De Bruycker, Gent’s alderman for Elderly Care, emphasises the goal: turning every meal into a valuable and pleasant gathering. To achieve this, the city has partnered with renowned chef Wim Ballieu, known for his culinary expertise and community focus.
But how will this collaboration truly improve daily life in Gent’s care centres? And what does it mean for residents who often look forward to mealtimes as key social occasions? Let’s explore the impact and intentions behind this initiative.
Why is Gent focusing on meals as social moments? The answer lies in improving both nutrition and community spirit. By involving a chef like Wim Ballieu, the city hopes to:
- Enhance the taste and quality of meals served daily
- Create a more engaging and warm dining atmosphere
- Strengthen bonds among residents during shared mealtimes
- Promote wellbeing through enjoyable, communal experiences
Could this model inspire other Belgian cities to rethink care centre dining? It certainly raises questions about the role of food beyond nutrition.
Looking ahead, Gent’s approach could set a new standard for care centre dining, encouraging other municipalities to invest in meaningful, flavourful meal experiences that bring people together. Will more cities follow suit to make mealtimes a highlight of the day?
