Skip to content
All articles

Healthy and tasty meals with a side of friendship

Cooking is Bradley Castle’s career and lifetime passion. He comes from a family of chefs, so he began cooking when he was ten. In 2002 he moved to New Zealand from South Africa, where he was working in a massive entertainment complex with two championship golf courses and a crocodile farm.  “I was supposed to go to Ireland, but my sister lived in New Zealand and told me not to go to Ireland, because it’s too cold.”

He doesn’t regret his decision because New Zealand allowed him to expand his career with his first job in the aged care sector. He started working for Pakuranga Park five years ago, in an experience that he defines as “eye-opening”: “Our residents are old in the sense that they’re retired but not in the other senses: They have freedom, friends, chat groups, play groups, bowls, they’re well-travelled, educated, you hear so many interesting stories”.

Bradley loves chatting to Pakuranga Park's residents

He cooks the regular meals for the serviced apartments, and also caters for special occasions such as the Pink Ribbon Breakfast or the Huntsman dinners, when he can spice up his recipes with extra taste and creativity. The Huntsman tickets always sell hours after the reservations open.

About 80 residents attended the Pink Ribbon breakfast prepared by Bradley and his team

Bradley Castle considers himself lucky to have a very efficient team with two other chefs and several kitchen assistants. He also gets immense satisfaction from talking and getting to know the village’s residents. “We become their friends and their family knows us by name”.

Bradley cooked delicious Eggs Benedict for Pink Ribbon Breakfast

Latest articles

All News
Feel at Home
Epsom Village
News
Epsom Village
News
25 March 2025

Feel at Home

Each of our villages offers a perfect blend of independent retirement living with companionship, lifestyle, and security. And each one has its unique charm that our residents rave about. At Epsom Village, residents love the central location, the stunning views of Mt. Eden and Sky City, the modern, well-appointed apartments, and the friendly community where you can opt in or out of as many activities as you like.
Read more
Movement and Mindfulness
Remuera Gardens
News
Remuera Gardens
News
03 April 2025

Movement and Mindfulness

At Real Living, we are always exploring new ways to improve the well-being of our residents and staff. One of our latest initiatives, the Holistic Dance Exercise Programme (HDEP), is an innovative, evidence-based project developed by our Group Culture, Care, and Quality Manager, Reign Marcial. Rooted in academic research and inspired by established practices from the Alzheimer’s Society in the UK, this programme integrates movement, meditation, and structured exercise to support cognitive function, balance, and fall prevention among older adults.
Read more
"I feel very privileged"
Pakuranga Park
News
Pakuranga Park
News
18 March 2025

"I feel very privileged"

"I feel very privileged living at Pakuranga Park because you can't get anything like this in Auckland," says Colleen, who moved to the village two years ago. With her love of hobbies and traveling in her motorhome, she needed plenty of space—and found it in one of the village’s spacious villas. For those seeking a retirement village that offers safety, companionship, and the freedom to pursue their passions, Pakuranga Park is the perfect choice.
Read more