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Dawn- Head Chef at the Weir
Dawn joined The Weir in February 2025, but she’s no stranger to Ashberry Healthcare. Her journey with us began several years ago at our sister home, Broomy Hill in Hereford.
Before entering the world of care, Dawn had a rich background in agriculture and horticulture. She spent many years working in a plant nursery, surrounded by nature and hands-on work. Seeking a new direction and a more people-focused role, she decided to explore the care sector and joined Broomy Hill as a care assistant.
Dawn’s early days in care started just before the COVID-19 pandemic, an incredibly challenging time that took a toll on many frontline workers. Although the experience was difficult, it didn’t dampen her desire to work in care. Instead, it inspired her to find a different path within the sector.
When a kitchen assistant role became available at Broomy Hill, Dawn took the opportunity and never looked back. Her keen eye for detail and natural leadership soon led her to identify areas for improvement in the kitchen’s processes and food quality.
In early 2025, Dawn brought her talent and passion to The Weir, stepping into the role of Head Chef. Here, she continues to cook delicious, nourishing meals for our residents and is already making a fantastic impact, exceeding expectations and raising the bar for dining at The Weir.
Dawn is passionate about using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, believing that the fresher the food, the better it tastes, and the better it is for us. She finds true joy in seeing residents happy and nourished by the food she creates.
For Dawn, the kitchen is more than a workplace, it’s a space where care, creativity, and community come together on every plate.
Looking ahead, Dawn is excited about involving residents more in menu creation, ensuring their preferences and cultural favourites are at the heart of our food offering. She’s also enthusiastic about the upcoming transformation of the dining experience, a project led by our Resident Experience Manager, Amy Clay. This initiative will focus on adapting dining to meet the needs of each resident through features like show plates, thoughtfully designed menus and table setting, and plating up fresh meals from hot trolleys in the dining room. This not only enhances the sensory appeal of food but also supports residents in recognising it’s time to eat.
Outside of work, Dawn enjoys watching motocross, her son races at world championship level! She’s also a proud grandmother to two grandchildren, with a third on the way.
Dawn’s advice for anyone entering the care sector is:
"Be prepared to work hard. It’s incredibly rewarding and so worth it. You have to be a people person and genuinely care about what you do."
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