At Sobell House Hospice in Oxfordshire, chef Spencer Richards crafts meaningful final meals for patients. “There’s no greater privilege as a chef than serving someone their final meal,” he says.
From sourcing street food for a young patient to baking a birthday cake for a 93-year-old woman who had never had one, Spencer ensures each dish is personal and heartfelt. He shared that birthday cakes are the most requested item, often bringing joy to those who’ve faced loneliness or isolation.
Spencer adapts meals to changing health conditions, noting that cancer patients often crave sweets and may struggle with salt or swallowing. For patients unable to eat solids, he carefully prepares alternatives like jelly or ice cream—still beautifully presented.
He emphasizes that food evokes powerful emotions and memories. Families often return months later just to thank the hospice team, reaffirming Spencer’s mission: to give back through the comfort of food.
Sobell House is jointly funded by the NHS and the Sobell House Hospice Charity, which raises around £4 million each year.