We all have our food memories. Whether it’s gathering for a Thanksgiving meal or making cookies from scratch with your grandmother, food brings people together in a way that no other experience can. That’s because the taste, smell, and texture of food can evoke memories not just of eating, but also of place and setting.

The familiar smells and flavours experienced when cooking a meal can be very therapeutic for both healthy seniors and those with dementia. It’s not just about scent and taste, though. The act of preparing a meal gets residents moving and has been known to improve mood.

What Is Chef’s Table?

With this in mind, All Seniors Care created Chef’s Table.  Residents who attend happily listen as the Chef reveals their secrets during an interactive presentation.

Eight times a year, Red Seal certified Chefs get creative and choose a favourite or fun recipe to showcase. Whether an exploration of the different types of chocolate or recreating a family heirloom recipe, ASC Chef’s love to interact with residents in a more personal way. Throughout the activity, the conversation and reminiscing generated by Chef’s Table draws on deep memories, adding to the joyful atmosphere.

And, of course, everyone gets to enjoy their efforts at the end.  It’s the perfect program for anyone who’s curious about cooking — and anyone who appreciates a good meal!

Don’t feel like cooking? No worries!  Everyone is invited to watch the presentation and taste the culinary creations.

Chefs Host a Travelogue

A gastronomic tour of France. A culinary journey through Greece.

Over the years, Chef’s Table has grown into an all-inclusive armchair travel destination. It’s a wonderful opportunity to journey to distant lands through food.  During these sensory experiences, residents learn about the place, landscape, and culture while the Chef showcases cuisine of the region. Some recent destinations include Spain, Greece, and Morocco.

So, sign up for this popular group, pull up a chair, and get ready to learn our Chef’s secrets. You won’t want to miss it.

The Importance of Shared Meals

Sharing meals also means sharing memories of day’s gone past and building new ones for the future. To celebrate those memories and the family history they represent – not to mention the valuable culinary history – All Seniors Care published an intergenerational cookbook.  A compilation of recipes from across Canada, the book shares resident recipes, traditions, and stories that embody the unique cultural and geographic character of each province.

Available free of charge to anyone interested in this valuable book of Canada’s food lore and history, please email rgoldberg@allseniorscare.com.  All that we ask is that you donate a “tin for the bin” at your local food bank.

Stay In Touch

There are plenty of exciting activities like Chef’s Tables happening at All Seniors Care Living Centres all year long. Take a look at the website’s News + Events section. Catch up on the latest news with senior homes in Ottawa, the Lakeridge Heights community and much more.

You can find out this important information from our social media pages, as well. Check out our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages to see what fun and creative activities are on the horizon. You can also browse the photos and videos from past events. Feel free to share the posts with your friends and click the like button.

Writer  – Julianna McLeod

Julianna is a health and wellness expert at All Seniors Care. Her mission is to create content that empowers seniors to form sustainable solutions for lasting health and happiness. She is an experienced writer, editor, and Recreational Therapist living in Toronto.