Albo spotted with unlikely figure

Anthony Albanese has shared some glowing words for culinary legend Maggie Beer as the pair launched a new aged care initiative.

The Prime Minister joined Ms Beer and Aged Care Minister Anika Wells at an aged care home in Adelaide’s south on Tuesday to unveil a cooking program for older Australians.

The Maggie Beer Foundation Aged Care Cook and Chef Support Program aims to ensure cooks and chefs working at aged care centres can access training to improve the food and nutrition they are serving up to residents.

While Mr Albanese threw his full support behind the initiative, he also shared some praise for Ms Beer.

“Can I thank you Maggie for being such an inspiration? Your compassion, your skills, your knowledge you are bringing to assist older Australians” Mr Albanese said.

“This is something you’re doing out of your commitment, it certainly isn’t a commercial opportunity and it just says so much about who you are and is just one of the reasons why Maggie Beer is one of the most respected of Australians.”

The PM took a tour of the aged care facility, particularly its kitchen, and met with residents who told them about the improved food at the centre.

He even took to the kitchen, popping on a pair of gloves to assemble a small snack for residents.

Ms Beer went on to praise those working in the aged care food space, describing it as highly “specialised” work.

“This is the hardest job I can imagine for a chef and it’s the hardest work I have ever done,” she said.

She said that those in the industry were calling for more support and education to improve the meals they serve.

“People are working so hard and I do not come across anyone who doesn‘t want to change but to be able to change we need this education,” she said.

“We need these skills that are very particular to those cooking five meals a day, three meals and two snacks a day, that have to be full of protein, full of goodness.”