Food for thought. Literally.

Food for thought. Literally.

I was struck by a recent New York Times article describing how chefs and cookbook authors are now designing dishes for an older clientelethe aging Boomer with a sophisticated palate and no patience for reconstituted mashed potatoes, or any other kind of institutional gruel.

For residents in senior communities, assisted-living facilities or plain-jane nursing homes, mealtime often takes on exaggerated importance, so it’s heartening to see how aligned the players in the food service industry are in improving the dining experience.

They’re sourcing local ingredients, serving fair-trade coffee and fruit-infused water, making homemade gelato, and, through culinary sleight of hand, offering pureed dishes that don’t look (or taste) like baby food.

These professionals are also taking into account that people with memory loss can still take pleasure from good food that’s beautifully presented. I was particularly moved by the part in the story where waiters show memory- or speech-impaired diners photos of a menu option on a tablet computer.

Eating is such a primal pleasure. It’s good to know that the right people are paying attention to the value it contributes to our quality of life.

Click here to read the article.

3 Comments

  • Jari Searns
    September 15, 2014 6:01 pm 0Likes

    So when we go to that nursing home at some point in the hopefully very distant future it will be like eating at a Bobbie Flay restaurant…right?

    • Sparky Baxley
      September 16, 2014 3:49 pm 0Likes

      Baby Boomers are good for your health!

  • Lisa Rubinstein
    September 16, 2014 12:49 am 0Likes

    I read this article too. Very encouraging.

Leave a comment

Name
E-mail
Website

Comment