RESIDENTS in a Glasgow care home were served up a taste of the orient today to welcome in the Chinese New Year.

The Wah Lok Jung Sam care home in Burnbank Gardens, in the West End, hosted a New Year's party for its 30 elderly residents, celebrating the Year of the Snake.

Catering staff employed by Glasgow City Council's arms-length organisation Cordia served a special menu of roast duck, char sui pork, chicken, fish, rice and vegetables, all prepared in a kitchen specially designed for Chinese cooking.

Entertainment at the event was supplied by the Chinese Opera who arrived to serenade service users in the Chinese wing of the care home, which was aptly bedecked with traditional Chinese decorations.

The Wah Lok Jung Sam is the only Chinese wing in a care home operated by Glasgow City Council and supports up to 30 older people from the Chinese community.

The home's chef, Jiawei Lu, known to residents affectionately as Lou Lou, prepares a delicious selection of traditional Chinese dishes on a daily basis, using an exotic selection of herbs and spices.

Lou Lou said "It's really rewarding to cater for such a nice group of individuals, doing the most to make their days at the home rewarding and worthwhile."

David Melvin, managing director of Cordia Services, said: "It's great to see our team yet again going above and beyond in the quality of service delivered.

"I wish all the residents of the Wah Lok Jung Sam care home, as well as the city's wider Chinese community, a happy and prosperous new year."

caroline.wilson@eveningtimes.co.uk