Skip to content
Cura Hospitality
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Cura Hospitality
    • Leadership
    • Social Responsibility
  • Who We Serve
    • Life Plan Communities
    • Acute Care
  • Careers
  • Spotlight
    • News
    • Blog
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Cura Hospitality
    • Leadership
    • Social Responsibility
  • Who We Serve
    • Life Plan Communities
    • Acute Care
  • Careers
  • Spotlight
    • News
    • Blog
Contact Us
Cura Hospitality
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Who We Serve
    • Life Plan Communiies
    • Acute Care
  • Social Responsibility
  • Spotlight
    • News
    • Blog
  • Contact Us
Menu

Cura Combats Labor Shortage with Strategic Partnership

  • Published January 31, 2022
  • | Passion for Food
Two young chefs preparing food
Community Kitchen Pittsburgh

Cura Hospitality’s Culinary Director at Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Ryan Sonson is thinking out of the box to help offset staffing shortages.

Chef Ryan, who oversees culinary innovation at all AHN hospitals throughout Western Pennsylvania, has forged a new strategic partnership with Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, a non-profit organization that provides culinary training and opens career pathways to individuals who experience barriers to employment. Students participating in the two-month culinary program, learn the essential back-of-house skill sets for successful job placement. According to Chef Ryan, “the program helps these individuals get back on their feet and become contributing members of society.”

Masked chef posing for photo while holding food tray and giving thumbs up

Community Kitchen Pittsburgh recently invited Chef Ryan to visit their space and conduct a cooking demonstration. As part of the demonstration, Chef Ryan shared his culinary skills with the students, while also increasing exposure for the Cura brand and laying the groundwork for sourcing potential new team members! “The dish I came up with was a play of sorts on the pierogi, a Pittsburgh favorite fused together into a taco.” The pierogi was filled with roasted corn, poblano pepper, potato puree and a stringy Oaxacan Cheese.

Students learned to fill a corn tortilla, fry it in a pan with oil and then brush it with a smoked Mexican Mole sauce. While still wet with the sauce, students topped it with a dry Mexican Queso Molido cheese, along with avocado and cilantro. This delicious meal was served with spiced black beans and steamed basmati rice.

“It is a truly a win-win and allows us to not only strengthen the Cura brand within the community but also helps us in turn, source potential new employees in a depleted market. This class helped us cement a relationship with a tremendous local organization that has already led to an externship program within our network,” says Chef Ryan.

During the class, Chef Ryan also shared the benefits employees receive when working with a contract foodservice company, stating how hospitality organizations like Cura provide flexible working schedules, are family-friendly, offer tuition reimbursement and complimentary in-house training. Cura Hospitality team members learn trend-forward culinary techniques from certified executive chefs, as well as receive training on how to enhance the patient and guest experience.

Partnerships with food vendors and suppliers provide employees with new opportunities for training and education related to new products, systems and services. “Ongoing training enhances our team members’ skill set so they have opportunities to advance throughout the organization,” adds Chef Ryan.  Cura’s team members are valued, receive recognition and are routinely celebrated for their successes!

Chef Ryan will continue to explore future opportunities with organizations like Community Kitchen Pittsburgh in an effort to help positively impact people’s lives through food!

Thank you Chef Ryan for working proactively and creatively to address our current labor challenges!

  • Latest Passion for Food

Culinary Caregivers: Senior Living Chefs Dish Up Top-Notch and Reap Feel-Good Rewards

Cura’s Connections Memory Support Dining Creates Meals with Dignity at Providence Point: June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month”

Cura Springs into Summer with Global Foods!

Brain Booster Hummus

Excellence in Food Service: The Most Trusted Companies of 2025

Cura Chefs are Crowned Winners in FSD’s First Healthcare Recipe Contest

What's Happening Around Cura

Spice of Life: Senior Dining Chef helps Residents discover Longevity-Boosting Blends

Learn about Cura’s Longevity-Boosting Spice Blends…which can be a win-win in replacing salt and also

Cura Hospitality’s Completely Satisfied Promotes Healing and Wellness

Is it time to elevate your dining and hospitality strategy? Now’s the time to gain

May Recipe of the Month: Sweet Potato Brownie

While sweet potatoes are known for their natural sweetness, Chef Lance showcases their impressive health

Cura Hospitality
Who We Serve
  • Life Plan Communities
  • Acute Care
Company
  • About Cura Hospitality
  • Social Responsibility
  • Careers
Stay in touch
  • Contact Us
  • Work with Us
  • (724) 416-7676
Facebook-f
Linkedin
LeadingAge PA Premier Sponsor 2025

Copyright © Cura Hospitality, LLC. All rights reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • California Residents
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • California Residents