Say Goodbye to Grey Blobs. Say Hello to Beautiful, Texture-Modified Plates
If you're living with dysphagia or supporting someone who is, you know that texture-modified meals are essential - but they don’t have to be boring. The team at Care Food Co is on a mission to Break The Mould with a national plating competition designed to spark joy and creativity in the world of soft and IDDSI-compliant texture modified foods.
Who is Care Food Co?
Care Food Co is an Australian-owned meal delivery service redefining the standard of meals for people living with dysphagia and those on texture modified diets. With a strong focus on nutrition and flavour, we provide high-quality, chef-prepared meals that are IDDSI-compliant and designed to bring joy back to mealtimes. Trusted by NDIS participants, aged care providers and home carers alike, our mission is simple: real food, made with real care - because everyone has the right to enjoy food.
What Is the Break The Mould Competition?
Running from 4 June to 16 July 2025, the Break The Mould Plating Competition invites Australians to create visually appealing meals using texture-modified food, with one key element - there are no food moulds allowed. Whether you're a carer, chef, NDIS participant, or aged care worker, this is your chance to transform mealtime into a moment of art.
Each week, five creative entries will win a $50 voucher, with a total prize pool of $1500 over 6 weeks. And the best part? You don’t need to be a Care Food Co customer to enter. Just bring your imagination and a willingness to celebrate the people you’re plating for.
Why Plating Matters in Dysphagia and Texture Modified Diets
A Fresh Take on Aged Care and Clinical Nutrition
People requiring IDDSI Level 3–7 meals often face food that’s bland in both taste and appearance. But research shows we “eat with our eyes” - and beautiful food can increase appetite, emotional wellbeing, and dignity at the table.
Ditch the Moulds, Keep the Care
Traditional food moulds may meet consistency guidelines, but they can look depressing and clinical. This competition challenges that norm. Use spoons, nozzles or silicone tools to create artful, appetising dishes that are still safe for people with swallowing difficulties. If you’re plating a Care Food Co product, why not deliver a 5-star experience with a custom attachable serving nozzle?
How to Enter the Break The Mould Competition
It’s Simple, Safe, and Rewarding
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Create a plated meal using any method (nozzles, spoons, silicone tools, etc.) except for moulded food
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Your meal must be soft-textured or texture-modified - bonus points for including products from Care Food Co
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Avoid traditional food moulds or blocks - that’s the whole point! Bonus points will be awarded by the judges for featuring Care Food Co packaging and/or someone enjoying the plated food in the image in your entry.
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Post your creation along with your first name, surname, email address and caption on the competition entry page here
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The 5 most attractive plates per week - as judged by the judges - will win a $50 gift voucher
Competition Dates
Opens: 4th June 2025
Closes: 16th July 2025
5 winners chosen weekly for 6 weeks
Total 30 prizes awarded for most creative overall entries.
Check out all the full Terms & Conditions here
Who Should Enter?
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Aged care chefs and kitchen teams
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Home carers and support workers
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Allied health professionals including dietitians and speech pathologists
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NDIS participants and plan managers
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Food lovers passionate about dignified dining
Whether you're plating for a loved one with swallowing difficulties or showcasing what’s possible in aged care, this is your chance to show that IDDSI-friendly food can be stunning.
Join the Movement for Mealtime Dignity
Care Food Co isn’t just offering delicious, nutritious meals for those with dysphagia - we’re leading the charge in reshaping perceptions around clinical diets. This competition is more than a creative challenge; it’s a call to reimagine what mealtime should feel like for those on texture-modified diets.
Let’s break the mould and bring joy to the plate—one meal at a time.
Stay Connected
Join the movement by submitting your photo on the competition page for a chance to WIN 1 of 30 x $50 Care Food Co meal vouchers!
Make sure to sign up to our newsletter on our homepage and stay connected with us on socials for more exciting Break the Mould Plating Competition updates.
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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carefoodco