Ben Cook is the Director of Smooth Dining, a pioneering Australian food manufacturing company dedicated to creating high-quality, texture-modified food (TMF) for people living with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).

With a background spanning food production and business management, Ben and his Smooth Dining team aim to address the critical gap in healthcare and aged-care nutrition for TMF. Their mission is to combine culinary excellence with clinical precision, ensuring meals meet IDDSI compliance standards while still delivering flavour, dignity, and enjoyment to the dining experience.

Under the management team’s leadership, Smooth Dining has grown rapidly, now supplying hospitals, aged-care providers, and large-scale distributors nationwide. The company continues to push boundaries with innovative recipes, patented food technologies, and a strong commitment to sustainability — sourcing local produce where possible and reducing food waste through efficient production practices.

Ben is deeply passionate about elevating the mealtime experience beyond nutrition, advocating that food is also about social connection, comfort, and dignity. His work reflects a belief that high-quality dining can transform lives, particularly for vulnerable populations.

At the Aged Care Catering Summit, Ben brings both entrepreneurial vision and hands-on experience from the production floor, offering insights into how food manufacturers in the health and ageing sector can balance operational efficiency with resident-centred care — without compromising dignity at the dining table.