Kamal Elkadri, Henry Ford Village, Excellence in Operations Award, Special Event – Burger Battle

Henry Ford Village (located in Detroit) held an internal “Burger Battle”.  The in-house culinary team entered various burger with the “Gouda Mac Hamburger” taking the prize. The team decided to take their winner even further and entered it to compete for “Best Burger in Detroit” Over 1400 people enjoyed the entries from multiple contestants.  The team from Henry Ford Village has been invited back to compete again this year, after placing in the top 5.

This experience changed the perception of senior living dining, introduced event goers to Henry Ford Village, and gave a great teamwork experience.

Jonathan Pinsker, ACTS Retirement Life Communities, Excellence in Operations Award, New Dining Concept – Table-side Dining

In order to combat the monotony residents experience in dining every day at the same dining room, the dining team at ACTS St. Andrews South has created a monthly intimate dining experience by reservation.  This upgraded 4-course meal is served to approximately 20 residents. Three of the four courses are prepared table-side which allows the resident to the opportunity to interact with the chef and learn the details of the menu item they are about to enjoy.

The event sells out every month and has a waiting list.  Residents are proud to have this experience available in their community.
ACTS Life is comprised of 23 communities located in 8 states.

Sean Keating – Brandywine Living, Excellence in Operations Award, New Dining Concept - Chop House at Brandywine Alexandria     

The Chop House is a dining experience which converts the traditional assisted living dining room into an upscale white tablecloth restaurant.  The Chop House is a monthly opportunity to experience a true steak house.  All items are cooked to order and served in true course fashion.
There were multiple positive outcomes to this concept, including elimination of food waste due to the cooked to order experience, enhanced resident satisfaction, and marketing differentiator.  The marketing departing has identified three sales directly attributed to potential residents enjoying a Chop House Meal.

Brandywine living is comprised of 30 predominately assisted living communities in located in 8 states.

Aaron Fish – Civitas Senior Living, Excellence in Operations Award, Special Event - Evening in Paris

The Civitas team created an "Evening in Paris" to celebrate the opening of their flagship community, Ridgelea. This event welcomed over 600 guests to a menu of butlered hors d'oeuvres, including service to the parking valet line! Action stations and an enormous charcuterie board. This event was instrumental in marketing the new community with over 35 leads and 11 actual deposits attributed. Additionally, while the event was planned by the corporate culinary team, the onsite team executed and learned from the experience.

Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Civitas Senior Living owns and operates a portfolio of 51 senior living communities located seven states. 

Robert Darrah, Legacy Retirement Communities, SDA Humanitarian Award

Each year, Legacy Retirement Communities donate a full seven course dinners (including labor and location) to various organizations throughout the community for their fundraising events as a way to give back to the community. The entire auction price is donated to the charity.  These dinners have sold for $1000 up to $2500. Additionally, Legacy donates countless volunteer hours through the Employee Enrichment Council. This support of the greater community at large has instilled a sense of pride in the participating Dining Team members

Legacy Retirement Communities are based in Lincoln, Nebraska

We all love being recognized for our great ideas and hard work. Allow your staff to shine in competing for these awards that will gain you national recognition and the ability to market yourself as an award winning dining program. Inspire others with your innovation and culinary know-how.

This award is granted to a community or organization that exhibits innovation and excellence in at least one of the following categories. Communities and organizations may apply for multiple awards.  
     -Themed Meals or Special Events: Submit your inspiring events that make you a stand out
     -Best New Menu Concept: Showcase your culinary works of art
     -Modified Meal Program: Highlight your tansformative textured modified food or finger foods 
     -New Dining Concepts: Present your amazing dining new construction or renovation
     -Innovation: Flaunt what makes you a unique trend setter

Entry Form

The humanitarian award will be given to the individual or community who has given back to their greater community by addressing an existing or emergent need.  This award celebrates those who hear and respond to the needs of others for the betterment of something greater than themselves. 

Entry Form

This award is presented to an industry partner based on creation or implementation of products or services benefiting senior dining. Submissions can vary from educational support through presentation of workshops & programs or by product innovation relative to the senior dining food service industry. 

Entry Form