Maggie Beer’s Big Mission

Maggie Beer cooks up inspiring new series for ABC

ABC, Screen Australia and Screenwest are delighted to announce that Australia’s food icon, Maggie Beer AO is looking to improve the lives of older Australians in her new series for the ABC, Maggie Beer’s Big Mission.

Currently filming in Perth and produced by the award-winning team at Western Australian production company, Artemis Media (Ningaloo Nyinggulu, New Leash on Life, Don’t Stop the Music), Maggie is leading an ambitious, life changing, social experiment as she attempts to overhaul an aged care home by transforming meals, the dining experience and the surrounds. Working with the unsung heroes in aged care, the aim is to improve the health and joy of the residents.

Over four months, Maggie and her team of experts will need to overcome challenging obstacles to deliver a nutritious and tasty new menu to the residents. The dining room and garden areas will also be given a much-needed rejuvenation.

This will be Maggie’s most ambitious project to date. If she’s able to pull it off, could it provide a roadmap for a new model of aged care?

Host Maggie Beer says “What a privilege this is to work with a Home that is brave enough to show warts and all, and the path of continuous improvement that will be necessary to bring about real change.”

ABC Head of Factual Susie Jones says “We are thrilled to have Maggie Beer spearhead such an important national conversation that effects all Australians. This series will surprise and delight ABC audiences, while bringing about real-world change.”

Artemis Media Executive Producer Celia Tait says, “We’re thrilled to be working with Maggie Beer again, whose skill, passion and dedication is legendary and whose mantra is ‘every mouthful counts.”

Screen Australia’s Head of Documentary Alex West says, “Maggie Beer’s Big Mission is poised to captivate audiences as it follows Maggie’s magnificent journey to revolutionise aged care through culinary innovation and reimagined spaces. This ambitious project not only showcases Maggie’s culinary prowess and determination, but also raises important questions about the future of aged care in Australia. We are incredibly proud to support this ground-breaking documentary that envisions a more enriching, vibrant and compassionate chapter for our seniors.”

“This is yet another groundbreaking series from Artemis Media who are fast establishing themselves as warriors for social change. Screenwest is proud to be supporting such important content and we look forward to seeing the impact it will no doubt have on aged care on a national and global scale.” said Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest CEO.

Maggie Beer’s Big Mission will air on ABC TV and ABC iview in 2024.

Production Credit : An Artemis Media production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia and the ABC in association with Screenwest and Lotterywest. Series Director and Producer Laki Baker. Senior Producer Phillipa Hutchison. Executive Producer Celia Tait. ABC Commissioning Editor Julie Hanna. International Sales: ABC Commercial.

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Spurred by the shocking findings of malnutrition from the Aged Care Royal Commission in 2021, Australian food Spurred by the shocking findings of malnutrition from the Aged Care Royal Commission in 2021, Australian food icon, Maggie Beer, leads an ambitious social experiment to improve the meals and dining room experience at an aged care home. Over 4 months, Maggie and a team of experts will upgrade the menu, dining room, gardens and culture to bring more joy and wellbeing to the residents.

Together they will overcome limited food budgets and work flow challenges to deliver a nutritious and tasty new menu in a residential aged care home in Perth, Western Australia. The basis of all the food changes will sit around Maggie’s mantra “Make Every Mouthful Count”.

This will be 78-year-old Maggie’s most ambitious project to date and the one she will be the proudest of – if the team can pull it off – as it could provide inspiration and a roadmap for a new model of care in aged care across the country.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

An Artemis Media production for the Australian Broadcasting

Corporation. Major production investment from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Screen Australia in association with Screenwest and Lotterywest. Series Director and Producer Laki Baker. Senior Producer Phillipa Hutchison. Executive Producer Celia Tait. ABC Commissioning Editor Julie Hanna. ABC Head of Factual Susie Jones. International Sales: ABC Commercial.

Maggie Beer’s Big Mission to air this July on the ABC

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ABC, Screen Australia and Screenwest are pleased to announce Maggie Beer’s Big Mission, an inspirational three-part series produced by Artemis Media, will premiere on Tuesday 9 July at 8:30pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview.

Spurred by the shocking findings revealed from the recent Aged Care Royal Commission which exposed high rates of malnutrition in older adults living in aged care, respected Australian food icon, Maggie Beer AO, leads an ambitious world first social experiment to transform the meals and dining experience at an aged care home in Perth, Western Australia.

Over four months Maggie and her team of experts reinvigorate the menu, dining rooms, gardens and the care model to bring more joy, improve nutrition and well-being, and give purpose to the residents. The aim is to increase the overall quality of life at the home for both the residents and the staff.

Having established The Maggie Beer Foundation a decade ago, with a mission to set new standards to change the food and dining experience in the aged care sector, Maggie’s mantra is “Make every mouthful count”. She works closely with Speech Pathologist Natalie O’Brien, Dietitian Emma Falconer, and the home’s Executive Chef, Sasanka Peiris, to introduce new recipes high in protein and full of flavour, using fresh ingredients and solid cooking techniques.

Under the guidance of Maggie’s care change consultants Occupational Therapist, Elizabeth Oliver and Registered Nurse Julie Smith, the home introduces a buffet style dining experience within beautifully renovated dining rooms. Elizabeth and Julie train every member of staff in a unique model of care, which has a focus on the needs and abilities of each resident, with the goal of improving quality of life.

Gardening Australia’s Josh Byrne gets to work redesigning the shared garden spaces

to make them inviting and inclusive. His aim is to encourage residents, their families and staff to spend time outdoors.

For CEO Chris Roberts, it’s a brave endeavour to be open to such a big transformation. He’s optimistic that together with Maggie’s team, his staff will be able to deliver the new changes. If successful, he is committed to rolling the changes out to not only the rest of the home, but to the rest of the organisation as well.

This is 79-year-old Maggie‘s most ambitious project to date and the one she will be the proudest of, in the hope that it could provide a blueprint for improving aged care

“It looks fresh, it tastes fresh, every mouthful counts!”

– Maggie Beer

Production Credit: An Artemis Media production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia and the ABC in association with Screenwest and Lotterywest. Series Director and Producer Laki Baker. Senior Producer Phillipa Hutchison. Executive Producer Celia Tait. ABC Commissioning Editor Julie Hanna. Head of Factual Susie Jones. International Sales: ABC Commercial.

I am really looking forward to this program.

Episode 1

Tuesday 9 July 8.30pm

Spurred on by the shocking findings revealed from the recent Aged Care Royal Commission which exposed high rates of malnutrition in older adults living in aged care, Australian food icon, Maggie Beer, leads an ambitious world first social experiment to transform the meals and dining experience at an aged care home in Perth.

Over 4 months Maggie and her team of experts reinvigorate the menu, dining rooms, gardens and the care model to bring more joy, improve nutrition and well- being and give purpose to the residents. The aim is to increase the overall quality of life at the home for both the residents and the staff.

Maggie’s approach centres around mealtimes - creating nutritious and delicious food made from fresh ingredients, dining in a beautiful environment with dignity and importantly, being able to have choice and having the autonomy to make those decisions. Choice has been shown to be one of the primary reasons for improved food and nutritional intake in residential aged care service settings.

Maggie and her team face many challenges - breaking down barriers and encouraging staff and management to try new ways, think differently and to understand that there are better ways to care for residents.
Food for older people has many complications which requires food to be modified.

It’s an exacting technique that shockingly has no specific training requirements. Maggie struggles as she discovers the staff skill level is low which requires going back to basics and upskilling the team.

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Episode 2

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Tuesday 16 July 8.30pm

The training phase of the experiment is underway, and Australia’s food icon, Maggie beer introduces new protein rich recipes using fresh ingredients.

Maggie’s experiment is underway. Changes to the food and dining experience, the way residents are cared for and the physical surroundings are central to Maggie Beer’s Big Mission.

Maggie’s first change is to breakfast. After sharing her porridge recipe with Chef Sas and Cook Richard, she heads to the residents’ dining room where 89 year-old Merle delivers her verdict on the improved porridge – has Maggie failed her first test?

Maggie also experiences first-hand the communication issues between the breakfast care staff and kitchen.
Speech Pathologist Natalie upskills the kitchen crew in preparing texture modified meals. Sas and Maggie’s Chef Amanda look at ways to produce more menu choices for residents who have difficulties with chewing and swallowing.

Landscape Designer Josh Byrne reveals his plans for the courtyard and the residents’ balcony and the kitchen herb garden is planted.

With pressure to trial and develop more recipes, Maggie brings in another Chef from her Foundation - Athol. The kitchen must continue to find ways to encourage eating, for every mouthful of food to be delicious and nutritious.

The residents health and wellbeing are at stake. With the new buffet breakfast starting soon Elizabeth and Julie run through their plans, explaining how this service style will give residents more choice and autonomy as well as reducing pressure on the carers, however, some staff and management have concerns about whether it will work and they question residents abilities. If everyone is not on board then the project risks failure.

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Episode 3 - final

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Tuesday 23 July 8.30pm

The pressure is on and cracks are showing as the team push to make the improvements, in time for the Minister for Aged Care’s visit.

Maggie and her team are halfway through the experiment and there is still so much to do. The pressure is on, and the cracks are showing as they prepare for the Minister for Aged Care’s visit.

The staff put their new knowledge and skills into action and residents are encouraged to get involved with the outdoor transformation.

Renovations are complete and the home’s environment has a new lease on life. The once derelict courtyard is now buzzing with life. The dining rooms are light and bright and the tables are set and the buffet opens!

Giving residents purpose and meaning is key to aiding the transition. The introduction of daily job roles sees residents helping set the dining rooms.

The kitchen however, is still in crisis as they make the move to using fresh produce and cooking from scratch. It’s clear the staff do not have the skills to manage the changes and Maggie must continue teaching the basics – she’s back in the kitchen to give more baking lessons.

Maggie wants to work on communication between the kitchen and dining room, but Sas seems unconvinced by her suggestions. Will the kitchen make the changes they need in time for the Minister’s visit and importantly, in time to effect change quickly and improve nutrition for the residents?

Maggie returns after 2 months to find the residents flourishing, the staff happy along with progress
In the kitchen. While the experiment seems to be a success, the research will tell if it’s all been worthwhile. Associate Professor Jade Cartwright from UTAS returns with the results.

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https://www.tvcentral.com.au/podcast/podcast-maggie-beer-maggie-beers-big-mission/

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ABC Radio Melbourne’s Trevor Chappell hosted his afternoons show at Uniting AgeWell Strathdon Community in Melbourne’s Forest Hill last Wednesday, coinciding with the broadcast of Big Mission.

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Maggie gives off real Mr. G vibes in this.

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ABC Commercial is thrilled to announce that MAGGIE BEER’S BIG MISSION has been nominated at the prestigious C21 International Format Awards.

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Upskill your aged care hospitality staff in-house at no cost.

Applications for the next round of the Maggie Beer Foundation’s Trainer Mentor Program are now open.

Find out more at http://maggiebeerfoundation.org.au/trainer-mentor-program/

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