Food: Bringing People Together At BaptistCare The Gracewood

It was a coup when BaptistCare secured the talents of Chamara Pathiranage as its Chef across its Macquarie Park aged care services in 2009. Chamara now opens The Gracewood restaurant each month & delivers his famous curries to customers & employees at BaptistCare’s Macquarie Park café & Support Services site each Friday. 

“The first chef I worked with was French, so I learned a lot about French cuisine from him. I’ve always really loved the European style of cooking, especially French and Italian,” Chamara says.

“I love going to the markets to get my fresh produce. What’s in season is always the tastiest and easiest to cook with, plus it’s vibrant.”

It is clear from Australia’s growing passion with TV cooking shows and celebrity chefdom that technique is everything, and for Chamara, braising is his firm favourite.

“I love it – it’s all about slow cooking, retaining and enhancing the flavours. It’s easy, effective. With braising you get to take your time and create something where flavour is celebrated,” Chamara says.

Chamara and his team deliver a new menu each month, working with the best of simplicity and seasonality.

Recent guests to The Gracewood restaurant have feasted on dishes including potato and leek soup with pan fried potato gnocchi and ham, Japanese tuna salad with ponzu dressing, roast spiced chicken served on a harissa sauce with herbs, and chocolate mousse cake served with chantilly cream and wafer.

“Our monthly Friday night dinner sees a team of three chefs, two kitchen hands and five wait staff deliver a fresh menu with professional service in a restaurant setting. We have flowers on the tables and a great atmosphere.”

“But it’s not over the top either; The Gracewood is all about community living, and we all know each other, so it’s informal and enjoyable at the same time.”

The Gracewood restaurant reflects the lifestyle of the retirement village; communal dining with friends in a modern and stylish venue, located just a short stroll from residents’ apartments and looking out over the Cumberland Forest.

Chamara has worked with the best, including David Bitton and Sean Connolly at Sheraton on the Park, following Connolly when he moved to the former Astral at Star City Casino.

Born in Sri Lanka, Chamara is also ‘famous’ for his curries, prepared every Friday morning for customers and employees at BaptistCare’s Macquarie Park café and Support Services site.

Plans are being considered for The Gracewood restaurant to extend its opening days to cater for Stage 2 of The Gracewood being unveiled, and the soon to be completed co-located residential aged care facility.

Click here to find out more about BaptstiCare's retirement villages.