The Dunedin Hospital food saga is heating up with Compass, the company which provides the food, being challenged to a cook-off.
The challenge has been put to Compass by the Real Meals Coalition after the food served to patients was described as "slop" and said to have no nutritional value.
Patients have posted photos online of the meals, sparking outrage from local residents and unions who have called for the contract with Compass to be scrapped.
The Southern DHB began a 15-year contract with Compass in October last year.
"Cooking seems to be among the most popular reality TV shows these days, and our challenge to Compass is that they engage with us in a local cook-off to see who can make the best meal," Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt says.
"It will be Compass versus cooks and food producers from Otago and Southland making their versions of the Compass hospital menus."
Compass says a cook-off is considerably different to preparing meals for hospital patients and won't be taking up the challenge.
"We are confident that we produce good quality nutritious food and we invite the people who are commenting publicly on this matter to see and taste for themselves the meals being served to patients, including the many different special diet meals provided," Ms Scott says.
An invitation has been extended to some groups already, she says, with the hope of making the taste-tests happen in the coming weeks.
The challenge comes after a survey by the Waikato DHB showed a 99 percent rate of satisfaction among patients with their meals.
"At the moment Waikato is clearly in the lead with their gourmet hangi dish, but we're out to knock them off their perch," Mr Shadbolt says
The roast option with gravy and dessert (Dave Goosselink)
Newshub reporter Dave Goosselink was invited to taste Dunedin Hospital's meals right off the serving line in the kitchen last week. The hospital serves around 350 patients a day.
Newshub taste-tests Dunedin Hospital food
He rated the meals four out of five stars, and specifically ordered the 'minced and moist' option, which he says has become the poster meal for the campaign.
He says while it doesn't look "flash", it tasted pretty good.
Meals are subject to patient requirements recommended by doctors and clinicians, with the pureed meal for patients who were not able to swallow solids.
Compass says they've taken the feedback on and introduced patient experience coordinators, who are in the hospital wards during meal times. This means patients can give instant feedback and issues are resolved more quickly, national development and innovation manager Lauren Scott says.
Compass serves around 50 different variations from the standard menu because of dietary restrictions, allergies, and personal preferences. The menu is on a fortnightly rotation.
A protest was organised last week outside Dunedin Hospital, attended by residents, unions and local MPs.
Protest against Dunedin Hospital food
Newshub.
