Illinois: Kitchen Tours at Villa St Benedict

Chef Jeremy took groups of residents on their first kitchen tour. He started off by showing them the fresh produce he had just picked up from the Green Earth Institute Farm which included purple haze carrots, candied striped beets, snow peas, garlic scape, tri-colored swiss chard, and red romaine lettuce. The residents are looking forward to seeing these vegetables in upcoming menu items. Jeremy then took them around the kitchen to explain what we did in each area including how their orders came in and were executed, how the dish area worked, and where they prep certain food items. They were very intrigued by the whole scene and how much they did not know about what the chefs did to make their meals. Everyone had a great time with their newfound knowledge of food service and now have a greater respect for all that we do!

Liz Blume

Hospitality Manager

Villa St. Benedict

Illinois: Newcomers Dinner at Westminster Place

On June 27th, we held our quarterly assisted living newcomers' dinner at Westminster Place.  Carol Tatarowicz, Director of Marketing for the Highlands, and Chef Kyle planned the beautiful evening for five new residents and fourteen board members.  The theme for this evening was "Summer Nights."  The dinner started with wine and conversation and ended with a "Night Cap," drunken Michigan blueberries, butter crumble and torched meringue.  The new residents who have moved in within the last year were thrilled with menu and ambiance of the entire meal.  Carol and the residents look forward to the next dinner in September.

FIRE STARTER grilled jumbo shrimp | cocktail sauce | lemon caviar

QUICK REFRESH watermelon gazpacho | micro basil

HOT & READY wilted spinach | charred tomatoes | brioche croutons | hot bacon vinaigrette | manchego cheese | local greens

MIDDLE OF THE  ROAD Bourbon peach sorbet

MIDNIGHT SURF broiled lobster | braised beef short rib | smoked parsnip risotto | Parmesan dust | toasted edamame

NIGHT CAP drunken Michigan blueberries | butter crumble | meringue

Michigan: AMITL at Gilbert Residence

 

The Gilbert Residence had its best turn out so far, with our Meal in the Life Social.  We had Crab Cakes with Mango Salsa, Sweet Potato and Banana Casserole, Plantain Chips, Tropical Fruit Salad, Rum Pineapple Upside down and topped it off with a Tropical Punch.
The following week we did our meal and it was a huge success!  BBQ Rum Ribs, Jamaican Jerk Salmon, Rice and Gandules, Pomegranate Glazed Carrots, Sweet Island Brussels and Spanish Style Rice Pudding....... Yum! What a good time.
      

Teresa Clark

Director of Dining Services

Morrison Community Living

Gilbert Residence

Michigan: Brecon Village Art Show

Residents at Brecon Village Memory Center displayed their wonderful works of art and crafts for family and friends. A harpist  played beautiful mood music in the background while guests enjoyed an artful spread of food. 

The menu included ricotta pizza with blackberries and basil, cauliflower and chard tartlets, red beet hummus bites, bread and cheese boards.

Janet Nichols, CC  l Executive Chef l Morrison Community Living

Illinois: The Longest Day

Each year, on the summer solstice, the Alzheimer's Association holds "The Longest Day" event to bring awareness to those with Alzheimer's. Events around the country go from sunrise-to-sunset, symbolizing the challenging journey of those living with the disease as well as celebrating their caregivers. Westminster Place, a Presbyterian Homes community, utilizes their NuStep machines and asks residents and employees to donate their time with either 15 minutes or 30 minutes of "stepping." Paul Stoddard, GM of Dining at Westminster Place, donated 30 minutes, 3100 steps, as well as contributed $100 from Morrison and the dining team.

I wanted to support this amazing cause because my grandfather, Richard Yarnell, was lost to this disease a few years ago. It was great to be able to support the people and family's that have to experience this disease, as I know firsthand what it's like.

If you have not already and are looking for a great organization to donate to, feel free to follow this link to my page to donate:  http://act.alz.org/goto/Stoddard

These events are great for the community, not only to bring awareness, but to also bring the residents, staff, and client together!

  

Paul Stoddard

Operations Manager | Presbyterian Homes

Indiana: Hoosier Village Strawberry Festival

Hoosier Village Retirement Center hosted their annual Strawberry Festival on June 11, 2016.  Morrison Community Living employees prepared and served over 500 guests during lunch. 

Led by, Regional Executive Chef Camden Cox, all strawberry themed menu items were homemade and prepared on Hoosier Village Campus. Regional Executive Chef Camden Cox carved watermelons to create beautiful centerpieces for the event. Guests reacted with astonishment to the carved watermelons and many photographs were taken of the display. 

Strawberry Festival 2016 was a major success with all the hard work and dedication from the employees and staff. We would like to thank all the gracious hands that assisted our team making this event phenomenal.

Michigan: AMITL at Huron County Medical Care Facility

A Caribbean Meal in the Life at Huron County Medical Care Facility

This month’s featured meal was a group effort at HCMCF. Normally most of the meal is prepared by the cooks and assistants but for this meal anyone who had a bit of extra time in their day helped to prepare the special Caribbean meal. The team happily worked away while listening to Jimmy Buffet and sharing personal stories of vacations to the Caribbean.

Before Showtime:

Our Caribbean meal featured Jamaican Jerk Chicken with fresh Pineapple Salsa or a Grilled Cuban Sandwich, Creole Lima Beans, Orange Spiced Carrots, Black Beans and Rice, and Pepper Pot Soup. The desserts offered were Key Lime Pie and a Tropical Fruit Salad with a Honey Lime Dressing.

During Showtime:

Everyone looking forward to sampling the meal during Showtime.

After Showtime:

As you can see it was well received and the team was able to inspire the residents to try something new.

Andra Shier| Assistant Director of Dining Services | Huron County Medical Care Facility