Story 16: SOHFi Simply Outstanding Hospital Food
QCH Transforms Hospital Food
In August 2011, Caralan Dams, Manager of Food and Clinical Nutrition Services, oversaw the launch of SOHFi (Simply Outstanding Hospital Food Initiative). The program transformed the preparation, presentation, and service of hospital food. By focusing on a "close-to-home" model, the initiative improved patient satisfaction while significantly reducing waste.
How Does SOHFi Work?
Rather than a centralized assembly line, meals are prepared in small kitchens – Nutrition Culinary Centres (NCCs) – located on each unit. Two food service aides work together – one preparing and plating entrées, while the other portions desserts and beverages. Together they make sure that hot food is hot, cold food is cold, and everything looks and tastes great.
Behind-the-Scenes Of Lunch Time
Check out the below video to see how Food Services keeps QCH fed!
More SOHFi Upgrades
SOHFi replaced airplane-style containers with a dining experience that feels closer to home. Meals are served on china with glassware and proper cutlery.
A side-by-side photo of hospital meal trays labeled "Before SOHFi" and "After SOHFi." Before SOHFi: A teal plastic tray holds mostly pre-packaged items, including a plastic-wrapped sandwich, a carton of milk, and several sealed plastic fruit and juice cups with foil lids. After SOHFi: A black tray presents a significantly more appetizing meal with fresh components. It includes a thick-cut marble rye sandwich with a side salad, a ceramic bowl of tomato soup, a glass of milk, a glass of juice, and a bowl of fresh raspberries. Metal cutlery is wrapped in a white cloth napkin.
Additionally, the old green uniforms were retired and swapped for the more modern iterations we see today.
A group photo of eight food service team members in the kitchen. Several staff members wear bright green shirts or black uniforms, and three are wearing white tall chef hats while playfully holding up kitchen utensils like a whisk, a ladle, and tongs. Two women in the front hold spatulas, and one man in a grey sweater smiles on the right side of the frame. Most of the staff are wearing hospital identification badges.
A side-by-side photo collage. The left side shows a group of six hospital staff members, including a woman in a bright green chef's coat and black apron (old food services uniform), smiling in a kitchen setting. The right side shows a food services staff member in the same green chef’s uniform and a black skull cap leaning over to serve a meal tray to an elderly male patient in a hospital gown. The meal tray includes a large sandwich, a bowl of soup, a glass of milk, and a side of fruit. Both the staff member and the patient are smiling during the interaction.
Patient Reviews: A Chef’s Kiss
More than ten years later, SOHFi continues to make a positive difference. Patient satisfaction remains very high, with patients often commenting on the quality of the food and the friendly service they receive. SOHFi shows how small changes can greatly improve patient care.
Tray tickets with handwritten notes of appreciation from patients, praising the "magnificent" breakfast and "exquisitely fresh" lunch provided by the food services team.
An overhead shot of three tray tickets on a dark wooden surface. On the are handwritten reviews with comments. The far left reads: Food Services. Thank you for the delicious lunch tray. It shows your concern for good nutrition, presentation and healthy choices. The middle note reads: Excellent breakfast. Magnifique! Just the right amount. And the far right reads: Exquisitely fresh croissant! My favourite tomato soup! What’s not to like? I’m applying for permanent residency!!
A third, smaller hand-written note on the left expresses formal thanks to the Food Services department for their "concern for good nutrition, presentation and healthy choices." The tickets list various meal items including pancakes, sausages, an egg salad croissant, and tomato soup.