"Working at St Michael's is my dream job. If the food I produce can bring just one person some happiness, then it's worth it, isn't it?"
“Mum’s often on my mind when I’m here. I create every meal as though I’m making it for her.”
“I was only 12 when mum died. She had been looked after so well by St Michael’s. Now, I work in the Hospice’s kitchen, and create every meal as though I’m making it for her.”
A year ago, Gary Smith put on his apron and joined our catering team in Bartestree.
He was given a tour of the site, but in reality it wasn’t needed.
“I got to know St Michael’s well during my mum’s stay, which was about 18 years ago,” said Gary. “She died at home, but her time here extended her life by several weeks, giving us more precious time together.”
For much of his adult life, Gary knew he wanted to work in catering, and held out hope that one day a job would come up at St Michael’s.
“It was my dream job – being a chef in a place that means so much to me. I’d always said to my partner that if I won the Lottery, I’d work in the St Michael’s Hospice kitchen for free. That’s how special the place is. Now, I’ve been here a year, and I still love it as much as I did on my first day.”
Gary takes a huge amount of pride in the food he prepares, and for good reason.
“If the food I produce can bring just one person some happiness, then it’s worth it, isn’t it? I owe the Hospice everything. What they gave me; the care they showed my mum; I can’t thank them enough.
“Mum’s often on my mind when I’m here. I create every meal as though I’m making it for her. When I’m at St Michael’s, I feel I’m with her. So this job allows me to work with my mum every day – and that’s the best feeling ever.
“It’s such a special place to be, and I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else. It really is the best job in the world.”