A CHEF who has spent the past two decades working at a Basingstoke care home had a retirement to remember.

Janet Farrow has been the head chef at St Thomas’ Care Home, in Oakridge, for 20 years and she went out with a bang – enjoying several fundraising events over the course of a month.

The 65-year-old said: “I have absolutely loved working here, and my best memories have come from the residents themselves.

“It has been wonderful working here, and I will still be on the books for when they need me – I just won’t have the stress of working full-time.”

The great-grandmother, who lives in Reading, has been raising hundreds of pounds for charity through various challenges and events in the month prior to her retirement.

She even had her head shaved, before being covered with custard and pies by residents, to raise money for her chosen charities, The Alzheimer’s Society and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers in Hampshire.

She said: “Both charities do some amazing work and the money will be split between them. My hair seems to be growing back quickly, but I had to dye it!”

The popular head chef also hosted a Tea at the Ritz event in the care home, inviting former staff, staff, relatives and others to a glitzy afternoon tea event. She even did the catering for the event herself.

She said: “I am looking forward to having more free time but I will definitely be keeping busy. I am planning on taking several trips away.”

These trips, she said, would included going around Europe with her partner on a trike.