Pride in Food Service Week

Creative Solutions in Healthcare Edition

On February 1st, just before the beginning of Pride in Food Service Week, Creative Solutions in Healthcare acquired eight new buildings. One of our top priorities is to ensure that on day one transition to a Creative Solutions facility, our new menu is adopted. We hope that from the very beginning residents can taste the Creative Difference. In the weeks leading up to our official change of ownership date, we send in dietary ambassadors to help train key staff members on the ways of cooking creatively.

We knew our goal was accomplished because of the kind testimonial one resident, from Normandy Terrace Nursing & Rehabilitation shared: “The food is so much better than before and [she is] so glad to see the positive changes since becoming Creative Solutions.”

Although she hasn’t picked out a favorite meal yet, she mentioned her excitement about trying everything from the new menu!

To celebrate our Dietary Departments a little extra this Pride in Food Service Week, we decided to hold a competition between each facility’s Dietary Staff. Because the February fruit of the month is citrus, we chose to the theme: “The Zest is Yet to Come.” Each Dietary team was invited to create an original dessert using any citrus fruit of their choosing and ingredients directly from our vendors.

After receiving over 60 dessert entries, our President & CEO, Gary Blake sat down to decide the winners. He mentioned how amazing each entry was, making it very hard to choose. He eventually came to a decision, announcing the winners as follows:

In first place, and the $500 Grand Prize winner, was the team at Mountain View Nursing & Rehab, with their Lemon Curd Napoleon with blood orange coulis, key lime, fresh raspberries and citrus dusted spun sugar.

Following up in second place, was Greg Lopez at Bertram Nursing & Rehab, with his Orange Blossom Strawberry Jam Cake.

Finally, in third place, we had a tie between Xavier Day at Amistad Nursing & Rehab, with his Orange Dreamsicle Cheesecake, and the team at Oak Ridge Manor Skilled Nursing & Rehab, with their Grapefruit Pie. 

Along with these winners, there were also 12 honorable mention recipients from the following facilities.

• Ganado Nursing & Rehab
• Marine Creek Nursing & Rehab
• Teresa Nursing & Rehab
• Twin Oaks Health & Rehab
• Shiner Nursing & Rehab
• Memphis Convalescent Center
• Granbury Care Center
• Arboretum of Winnie Skilled Nursing & Rehab
• Shady Oak Nursing & Rehab
• Peachtree Place
• Arlington Heights Health and Rehab
• The Premier of Alice

We were astounded by all of the amazing entries, and we are confident that with this level of creativity, attention to detail, and culinary talent from our dietary departments, our residents are in great hands.

To give an inside look into the making of some of these zesty citrus recipes, we followed two chefs at Marine Creek Nursing & Rehab, as they made their tasty desserts, cooking show style.

First up, we watched as Sharon Hunter showed us how she makes her beautiful Key Lime Margarita Cake, a three-layer white cake, with a layer of lime gelatin in the center. A slice of this cake was filled with different complimentary textures and delicious flavors, making for a great entry into our contest.

Next up, we had Keyshawn Collins show us how he makes his Orange Cream Cake, which was an orange vanilla cake with a whipped, cream cheese center. The flavor of a slice of this cake was creamy and flavorful with the perfect amount of orange taste, landing it a spot on the honorable mentions list.

Sharon and Keyshawn both bring outstanding creativity and special talents into the kitchen at Marine Creek and these recipes are the perfect example.

For the complete recipes and instructions, head over to our YouTube channel where you can watch these talented cooks create their masterpieces.