Eating food is a normal part of anyone’s day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are the designated times for you to sit down and enjoy a meal, usually with family, friends or co-workers. It’s a habit many of us don’t put much thought into. But to Kenneth MacDonald, Dining Services Director at The Ivy at Ellington, eating a meal is much more than just sitting down and chewing your food — it’s an experience. And he’s looking forward to giving the assisted living and memory care residents at Ivy at Ellington a wonderful experience, every time they come to the dining room for a meal.
“I really love the dining philosophy we have set for our residents. They can just come in and order food any time during the day. It’s very geared toward a restaurant style experience. The residents have the ability to come in at their leisure,” says Kenneth. He plans to be creative in the meals he makes, while also sticking to the basics. “I love a good, hearty meal, while also having the room to be creative in my work. Working here (at the Ivy at Ellington) allows me to be creative, while giving the residents what they want.”
Creating Meals to Make a Lasting Impression
When residents are eating their meals in the dining room, Ken hope they leave with a smile on their face.
“My philosophy on cooking is pretty simple. While anyone can have a bad day, they can have a good meal and their day can be changed. Food has the power to change someone’s attitude around,” says Ken.
That’s a big part of why he feels like his new position at the Ivy at Ellington is the perfect fit.
“I find working in the senior living industry very rewarding. I get to cook all day, which is my main passion, while giving back to a community of people who are spending their lives there.”
Knowing what the residents like and dislike helps Ken create meals the residents want to eat, not just ‘have to’ eat. “If the residents can’t have a dish ‘their way’ I do my best to accommodate their needs, I will go out of my way to make sure it works in their dietary needs,” says Ken. It’s important to him for the residents to be happy and enjoy their dining experience. Leaving a lasting impression isn’t only important to Ken, but all of the staff at Ivy at Ellington. “All of the staff working here has the same goal in mind – it’s all for the residents and making their lives better,” says Ken.