THE days when hospital stays involved chomping through cold, stodgy, unappetising meals are well on their way to becoming a thing of the past.For catering in Suffolk hospital is being revolutionised – thanks to Loyd Grossman, former presenter of the BBC's Masterchef programme.

IT SEEMS the days when hospital stays involved chomping through cold, stodgy, unappetising meals are well on their way to becoming a thing of the past.

For catering in a Suffolk hospital is being revolutionised – thanks to Loyd Grossman, former presenter of the BBC's Masterchef programme.

Mealtimes for patients at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds are now more nutritious and delicious than ever, with soggy sausage and mash replaced by trendy chicken fricassee and salmon and dill potato bake.

The new dishes – all based on recipes created under the watchful eye of culinary king Grossman – have now appeared on ward menus for one week and have been well-received by patients hungry for fulfilling food.

"This is as good as the food I have at home," said Alfred Snell, from Great Finborough, as he sampled a fricassee.

"The food is good at this hospital and is completely different to how it used to be. These are lovely meals and patients are given a big choice."

Veronica Hall, acting catering manager at the hospital, is responsible for overseeing the creation of about 800 meals each day for both staff and patients.

"The new dishes taken from the NHS recipe book give our chefs the opportunity to use more fresh herbs and other fresh ingredients in a slightly different way to create appetising, nutritionally sound meals," she said.