TWO care homes have gained a top star rating following their latest inspections under Fenland District Council’s ‘Scores on the Doors’ scheme.

Swan House in Chatteris and Belmont Road in March both gained five stars for their food safety management. The scheme is designed to promote high standards of food hygiene in catering establishments that serve food to residents or the public.

Swan House’s score went up from four to five stars. Head chef Tanya Diamond puts the achievement down to “great teamwork”.

She was appointed about 18 months ago and immediately set about a complete overhaul of the food safety management system.

“On the day I arrived I said I wanted five stars and now we’ve done it. I’m so pleased,” she said. “My team have been brilliant and I’m really, really proud of them. It took a little bit of time to make the necessary changes but they soon got into it.”

That team consists of a second chef, Tracie Cantwell, and four young kitchen assistants: Joanne Beaney, who is full-time, and three part-timers - Emma Beaney, Abigail Brown and Kimberley Tyers. They all live in Chatteris.

Every day they produce four different styles of menu – standard, diabetic, puree and soft diet - according to the specific needs of the 39 residents. They also provide daily meals for about 20 staff. Tanya also does an impressive range of birthday cakes for the residents and said: “I like to make them a bit special.”

Carolyn Brown, Swan House’s manager, said: “Tanya and the team are all over the moon to get the five stars. They’ve done so well and they’re really bubbling.”

Belmont Road has also made great strides in food safety management, jumping from two to five stars. It has 13 residents aged from 23 to 60, all with physical or learning disabilities.

Deputy manager Leanne Goakes said she was delighted with the new rating. She said: “Everyone has worked really hard. They all want to make everything better for our residents. We’ve also had a new kitchen and we believe in continuous training.”

Among her “excellent” senior staff, she singled out Carly Connett for special praise.

Spice Lounge, an Indian restaurant in Chatteris, has also progressed, pushing up its rating from three to four stars. Owner Mohammed Azad Mia said: “It’s great to go up a step - it shows we must be doing something right! Now we’re doing everything we can to get to the top level. Hopefully, being able to show the four stars will be good for business as well.”

Councillor Peter Murphy, FDC portfolio holder responsible for environmental health, congratulated all three establishments and said: “These improved ratings are the reward for all their effort and commitment. They demonstrate the value of ‘Scores on the Doors’ in pushing up standards and I’m sure others will be keen to follow their example.”