Chefs of Local Senior Living Communities Compete for Ultimate Chef America Title; Event Educates Public on Healthy Dining and Aging

DALLAS, March 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A dynamic culinary competition among area professional senior living chefs highlights healthy cooking, wellness and quality of life for older adults.  During the culinary cook-off, the culinary professionals from Brookdale Senior Living, industry-leading owners and operators of senior living communities, will entertain and showcase their culinary talents to compete for the chance to win the "Ultimate Chef America" title.

On Thursday, March 25 from 4 to 6 p.m., Town Village North Dallas, a Brookdale Senior Living community, located at 12271 Coit Road in Dallas, will open its doors to the public and host the intense competition and educational event. Seating is limited. Reservations by Tuesday, March 23 to Donna or Cynthia at 972-866-7575 are required.

During the Ultimate Chef America competition, two teams of four Dining Services staff members from area senior living communities will compete during a two-hour cooking competition focusing on healthy cooking for seniors. They will be charged with preparing four courses, and only able to use a grill for cooking.

Dishes prepared at the event will be tasted by a panel of judges. For this event, the judges are:

• Leeza Gibbons, media personality, founder of The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, and author of America's No. 1 book on caregiving, "Take Your Oxygen First."
• Bronwen Weber, a pastry chef and renowned cake decorator.  In her 20-year career she has worked at a variety of bakeries and won numerous awards, and is a frequent competitor on Food Network Challenge cake decorating competition.
• Lyle Oelfke, resident of Town Village Ridgmar, a Brookdale Senior Living community. A deer hunter for 45 years and a professional chef for 10 years, Oelfke is the author of a cookbook of 100 deer meat recipes.

Attendees can join in the Ultimate Chef America event by gaining a close-up look at the competitors and the fast-paced competition. They will have the opportunity to ask the chefs questions, and taste culinary delights, including seafood soups and entrees, beef and pork tenderloin creations and more.

Attendees also will have the opportunity to participate in various educational programs, including a seminar featuring Brookdale's Medical Director, Dr. Kevin O'Neil, on the topic of "Food for the Soul," a presentation which taps into the emotional dimension and gives attendees insight into issues such as whether optimism can lead to better health and research behind the mind-body connection; a wine tasting class featuring wines, some of which may be local; and a class presented by the Culinary Arts Institute at Brookdale: "The Art of Seasoning," which addresses sodium-free solutions for declining taste buds as one ages.

To heighten the interest and activity of Ultimate Chef America, Brookdale has partnered with several national partners and sponsors to be included in a vendor expo. Attendees can interact with these vendors during the expo to gain answers, samples and more.

In addition, food inspired art created by residents of Brookdale Senior Living communities across the nation will be auctioned at the Ultimate Chef America event. Proceeds of this auction will go to the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, an organization which elevates the national consciousness of caregiving and fosters a culture of healthy caregivers impacted by chronic illness through programming, universal access to resources, and behavioral research.

"Without a doubt, attendees and participants will achieve fulfillment in the dimensions of wellness," said Joska J.W. Hajdu, Senior Vice President of Dining Services for Brookdale Senior Living. "The creativity, ability, and talent of our Dining Services associates will be showcased during this unique competition. Our chefs are masters at creating traditional, heart-healthy meals, and this competition will challenge peoples' notions on healthy food choices for seniors, educate them on healthy choices, and give them a purposeful activity through the auction all in a socially engaging environment."

A way of life offered exclusively by Brookdale Senior Living at its communities for residents and associates, Optimum Life® focuses on six key dimensions - emotional, intellectual, physical, social, spiritual and purposeful.

Community tours will also be available, and participants will gain a first-hand view of the variety, styles and sizes of the private apartments and the community areas for socializing, dining and entertaining. Staff will be available to discuss living options, and visitors will learn more about the programs, outings and opportunities offered to residents.

National sponsors include Vitality, owned by Nestle and a supplier of juice concentrates and noncarbonated drinks; Advanced Food, a manufacturer of proportioned meats; SCA, which offers personal care products, tissue, packaging, publication papers and solid-wood products in more than 90 countries; Nestle Professional, a part of the world's largest food and beverage company that offers creative food and beverage solutions; Fidelity Printing, a full service and custom print company that has been providing quality customer care since 1999; Royal Cup Coffee, known for a full range of beverages and beverage related items including coffee, fountain beverages, juices, and specialty teas; and Ecolab, which supplies programs and services for cleaning, sanitation, and pest control in more than 160 countries.

The Ultimate Chef culinary competition is produced by the Culinary Arts Institute at Brookdale (CAI). The CAI at Brookdale is a professional development program designed to enhance the food preparation and presentation skills of Brookdale chefs. The dining and culinary arts team integrates hands-on training and classroom instructional materials that impart new food preparation skills and cutting edge techniques to enhance Brookdale residents' dining experiences.

More information about Ultimate Chef America can be found at http://www.ultimatechefamerica.com and http://www.facebook.com/ultimatechefbrookdale.

Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is the leading owner and operator of senior living communities throughout the United States. The company owns and operates independent living, assisted living, dementia care, skilled nursing and continuing care retirement centers. In all, Brookdale operates 565 communities in 36 states with a capacity to serve approximately 53,600 residents, as well as operating a dedicated rehabilitation and therapy group serving its communities and residents nationwide. Brookdale is committed to providing exceptional living experiences within properties that are purpose-built, designed and operated to help residents live well while achieving an Optimum Life®. Brookdale Senior Living communities provide a daily experience of programs, services and care that are unique as a result of the collective talents and inspiration of the residents, their families, and its associates -- demonstrating Brookdale's promise of "Our People Make the Difference." Brookdale is a publicly-traded company (NYSE: BKD). For more information, visit http://www.brookdaleliving.com

SOURCE Brookdale Senior Living

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