When considering an older adult community, eating may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but we take our cuisine very seriously around here. In actuality, one of the three pillars that make up the Heritage Care Home Difference is Dining and Nutrition. One of the things that our residents cite as their favorite aspects of living at their Heritage Care Home community is the delectable meals. So, the kitchen seems like a good spot to visit next in our Behind the Scenes series.

There is more to being a Heritage Care Home chef than just making great food

Renowned chefs and excellent dining personnel make up our Dining Services team. But did you know that food planning has its specialty at Heritage Care Home?

Here is what Janece DiFranco, Regional Director of Food & Dining Services for the Southeast, had to say when we asked her why menu planning is so crucial at Heritage Care Home.

The chefs at Heritage Care Home spend a lot of time each season designing the menus to make sure that every meal served is influenced by the tasty traditions, local tastes, and unique cultures of our residents across the nation.

We create menus that are representative of each distinct community's culture.

Our menu planning goes much beyond practical needs and takes into account the culture of each particular community and its people, just as we do with activity planning, housekeeping, and other tasks. Chefs often interact with the community to gather fresh ideas and discover the most well-liked ingredients and meals.

For instance, it appears that cauliflower is the newest "it" dish in the Southeast! The Lemon Herb Cauliflower and Bean Dip, Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Capers, and Sweet Sesame Cauliflower are now the most well-liked meals there. Why is cauliflower eating so popular right now? Perhaps discussions with family members who follow low-carb diets, culinary demonstrations, or articles they read in magazines or on the internet have inspired them to attempt intriguing cauliflower dishes. The majority of residents at Heritage Care Home indeed place a high priority on their health and diet.

Top menu planning considerations include health and nutrition

Our chefs not only excel in preparing tasty meals that keep residents pleased, but they also stay current on dietary restrictions and nutritional requirements.

Nearly 60% of residents at Heritage Care Home have at least one dietary restriction. "The importance of menu planning is to ensure adequacy in balanced diets for our residents who need assistance in this area," Janece explains.

Our dining team not only creates fantastic dishes for local neighborhoods but also posts recipes and culinary advice online! Browse through some of our residents' preferred dishes and pick the brains of culinary experts on how to prepare everything from a Heritage Care Home roasted turkey to our grilled cheese.