“The Scent of Childhood”: a recipe contest in Germany to rekindle residents’ memories
The recipe contest “The Scent of Childhood – My Favourite Recipe” (“Duft der Kindheit – Mein Lieblingsrezept”), launched in March 2025 by Korian Germany, celebrated the emotional and cultural significance of food in our care homes. The initiative encouraged residents to revisit the cherished flavours of their childhood, recipes that spark memories and tell personal stories. Residents, families, team members and catering staff came together to collect and share these culinary treasures from the past, with the chance to participate in the grand final held on 3 July 2025 in Frankfurt.
Food as a driver of identity and intergenerational ties
As part of the contest, Korian care homes across Germany were invited to actively take part by collecting, writing down and sharing recipes accompanied by personal stories.
Over 340 recipes were collected and reimagined by our chefs, illustrating how food can evoke memories and nurture intergenerational connections.
Each recipe went far beyond a simple list of ingredients, it conveyed a personal story, a deeply emotional life moment, creating a unique bridge between culinary heritage and personal identity.
I’m proud to see the level of commitment, creativity, and, above all, emotion, that this contest inspired. The stories, memories, and recipes shared by our residents are truly meaningful, and recreating them with so many dedicated colleagues has been a real pleasure.
A gourmet finale celebrating authenticity
Among the multitude of recipes received, a jury of experts selected ten dishes distinguished by their authenticity and creativity. The six most convincing teams were then invited to participate to the final round on 3 July at the Nestlé Lab Kitchen, in Frankfurt, where they had the opportunity to demonstrate their culinary skills in a professional environment.
The jury, composed of members of the management of Korian Germany as well as professionals from the gastronomy sector, evaluated each proposal according to four criteria: taste, presentation, creativity and suitability for care home kitchens.
Each team had five hours to prepare 20 portions of their submitted recipe, intended for the guests and the jury.
Following the tastings, three facilities were awarded:
- 🥇 Haus Schulze-Kathrinhof Saarwellingen – Falscher Hase (Meatloaf)
- 🥈 Haus Evergreen Recklinghausen – Rabbit in prune sauce
- 🥉 Zentrum für Betreuung und Pflege am Jahnpark Altenburg – Mutzbraten (Marinated pork)
The winning recipes will be featured on menus across the country.
Supporting quality of life through nutrition
At Clariane, mealtimes are an integral part of our daily care model. They play a key role in promoting residents’ well-being and fostering social connections.
In line with our Positive Care approach, initiatives such as this recipe contest reflect our commitment to delivering person-centred care that recognises and values personal preferences and cultural heritage.
Recap of the “Duft der Kindheit” contest (Korian Germany website)
