Let them eat meatloaf, beef stroganoff, bread pudding and a whole host of other favorites that come from Immanuel’s culinary and dining department.  We are blessed to have such a talented and dedicated group of professionals that feed our residents on a daily basis.

The culinary department management team is led by Lead Executive Chef, Lisa Lantry from Pacific Springs Village and includes; Executive Chef John Drozek from Immanuel Village,  Executive Chef Matt Bera from Lakeside Village,  Executive Chef Mike Miller from The Landing and Kitchen Managers Cherise Eckel from Immanuel Courtyard and Tim Blair from Trinity Village.  With a combined total of 176 staff, the Immanuel culinary and dining departments create and serve approximately 1,561 meals daily.

The culinary department has several large initiatives that they are currently focusing on.  Lisa Lantry explained, “We are in a standardization mode.  We are working toward standardized recipes, menus and purchasing.”  Lantry explained that it in an effort of being more fiscally responsible. “In this economy, our residents are not getting increases in their income and may have taken hits in the stock market—they are concerned about their finances.  We like to run a lean operation so we don’t have to pass so much of an increase on to our residents”.

Just as each of our residents and our communities are unique, Immanuel’s chefs are as unique.  They are all excelling in different areas.  “For example”, Lantry said, “Chef John, Assistant Chef Roger Hill and Dining Room Manager Shannon Hill at Immanuel Village has done an amazing job of bringing the PACE project on board.  Many people don’t realize that in addition to the normal daily dining that takes place at Immanuel Village, Chef John and his team are also responsible for the daily meals at the PACE Center in Council Bluffs, IA.” “Chef Mike at The Landing continues to exceed resident expectations and, along with Dining Room Manager Kim Williams provide special events that would compete with the best fine dining restaurants anywhere.” “When the noro virus struck Lakeside Village over Christmas, Chef Matt and Dining Room Manager Kathy Lewis could not have worked together better to make sure that residents had the same meal quality and selections while being served in their apartments.” “Kitchen Manager Tim and Dining Room Manager Victoria Ewald at Trinity has made great progress in their focus on resident satisfaction and enhancing the resident’s dining experience.” “Let us not forget about our newest member of the team, Immanuel Courtyard’s Kitchen Manager, Cherise who has really taken a “hold of the reigns”.  Cherise and Dining Room Manager Maria Rios has done a great job of involving the residents to improve their dining experience and is able to actually offer menu choices.” 

Lantry explained that in an effort to standardize recipes they are developing a ‘traveling road show’ that they will bring to all of our communities, and the residents will be able to participate in a blind taste test and have input on favorites recipes.

“This team is really coming together beautifully to share best practices and help each other.  The collaboration is amazing and we are all excited that Immanuel has made dining services a priority,” Lantry said.