News

Chefs gather to share and learn

October 23rd, 2019

Food supervisors from every Points West Living community, along with their Connecting Care colleagues, gathered in Edmonton recently to talk food and community. If the heart of the home is in the kitchen, these talented chefs are at the core of our communities’ hearts.

A gathering of chefs

Brent Hughes, Food Services Supervisor for PWL Lac La Biche, recently returned from the October 17 chef’s gathering. “It was a one day thing,” says Brent, “and it gave us a time to get to know each other and meet new Food Service Supervisors.”

“Each of us gave a presentation of what we did over the past year, what we do and how we involved residents and care partners in planning,” he says. “When planning our menus (which start with a centralized plan) we go through meetings with Resident Councils and residents, and make changes. If we do a function we’re there from start to finish.”

We're very involved in care

What struck Brent most about his colleagues is how involved all of the chefs are in their communities. “I learned how important we are within our communities,” says Brent. We’re not just cooks, we help with activities, in and out of the kitchen; we’re very involved in care.”

Brent says some interesting issues were discussed at the meeting, including the role of dairy in residents’ diets, given that dairy is not included in Canada Health’s latest Food Guide; and food presentation. “Aged 4 to 104, it doesn’t matter what age, people eat with their eyes,” he says. “If food doesn’t look good they won’t enjoy it.”

The pulse of each community

A surprise presenter to the meeting was Points West Living’s new CEO, Linda Revell. “Linda bowed to us and thanked and reassured us that we are the pulse of each community,” Brent says. “It was a surprise – not part of the itinerary, and it was great to hear that reassurance that we are doing the right thing and are on the right track.”

Photo: (Top) Food Service Supervisors from across Points West Living and Connecting Care met at Sysco in Edmonton on October 17, where, (Bottom) Presenter Sysco Chef Michael prepared a meal for the meeting and explains the menu items.

More photos at Flickr: Chefs gather to share and learn