Palate
Soup for the Soul:
Taking an Award Winning Culinary Arts Program
to a New Level
C
ooking can be a fun and healthy activity. Eating can initiate socialization with others
and be an enjoyable part of combating ailments and illness. Cooking and eating are
great ways to blend physical and mental activity by interpreting the information your senses
give you through sights and smells. Engagement with good food and with good people can
do more for the soul than any medication.
A new Culinary Arts initiative, Soup Demonstrations, will implement culinary-based
activities for residents of the Baptist Home in Rhinebeck, providing lectures and
demonstrations on how to make a variety of tasty soups. The Soup Demonstration will
mirror Culinary Insights and International Culinary Hour, two current programs for
residents and the public and will be held on the first and third Wednesdays of every month
on the Brookmeade Community Campus.
The Soup Demonstration
The Soup Demonstration will be part of
will be part of The New Day
program, which provides
The New Day program, which provides
structured yet creative activities
structured yet creative activities for residents
for residents living with
Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia,
living with Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia,
depression and other chronic
depression and other chronic illnesses.
illnesses. This new activity will
enhance this award-winning
program by initiating socialization and personal sensory stimulation through the sights,
smells and tastes of the soups produced and served. Increased engagement with dining
services personnel will enhance memory and foster discussion regarding the residents’
particular taste profiles and favorite foods that may not currently appear on the daily
menu. Additionally, soup is a perfect vehicle to augment the residents’ diet
nutritionally and aid in the prevention of dehydration.
Brookmeade’s chefs and dishes have made a real community impact,
enhancing and raising the standard for quality of food not only served in
a nursing home but in the entire Rhinebeck community. The Brookmeade
Community has shared their award-winning culinary dishes with residents
and the public via cooking demonstration shows, International Culinary
Hour and Culinary Insight. The Brookmeade culinary team can also be
seen at community events such as The Taste of Rhinebeck, where they
won the Ira Gutner Award or the Dutchess County Fair. When it comes to
culinary diversity and nutritious meals at nursing homes, The Brookmeade
Community is setting the standard very high.
“We are honored that our Culinary Art is being recognized by the
community for the high standards and great taste created by our chefs.
Our Culinary Art program increases the quality of life for our residents,”
said Karen Zobel, CEO/administrator of The Brookmead Community “We are dedicated to
making improvements to benefit our residents, staff and the community and appreciate the
joy of eating with our residents and friends but more importantly we are thankful for the
community support.”
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Adviser a publication of LeadingAge New York | Fall 2016