One of the most touching moments in his career was baking a birthday cake for a 93-year-old woman who had never celebrated her birthday before.

“When we surprised her with the cake, she burst into tears. She was over the moon,” Richards recalled.

In fact, birthday cake is the most requested comfort food at Sobell House Hospice as patients approach the end of life.

“These small gestures mean everything, especially for those who’ve felt isolated or lonely,” he explained.

Richards also adapts meals to meet patients’ changing needs, as many in palliative care lose their ability to swallow or experience altered taste buds due to medications. He’s observed that cancer patients often develop a sweet tooth, while others become sensitive to salt.

“Food is deeply emotional—it can bring back childhood memories or create new ones. That’s what we strive to do here,” he said.

Through his compassionate cooking, Richards ensures that even in life’s final moments, food remains a source of joy and comfort.