Westerwood Senior Living, a 356-bed premier nonprofit Life Care community in Columbus, Ohio, partnered with Cura’s award-winning culinary, creative purchasing, technology, and nutritional services to enhance the guest experience.
Cura serves independent, assisted, memory, short-term, and long-term care residents. “The transition is going well. This is a big operation with many opportunities, and dining services are very essential to the success of our operation. It is important to draw from each organization’s strengths and talents for the success of the overall organization. Cura has been a true partner from communication, to problem-solving, to sharing ideas. We are excited to travel this journey together,” says Lisa Burkhart, LNHA, Executive Director.
According to Sarah Duffin, district manager, CDM, CFPP. “From our culinary expertise to our Waste Nothing sustainability program, our goal is to elevate the dining experience with trend-forward menus, programs, and innovation by our talented chefs for residents and staff. Westerwood clients also appreciated our ability to be resourceful through creative purchasing practices and repurposing food waste into exciting new recipes without sacrificing health and taste.”
It’s no wonder why top life plan communities such as Westerwood partner with Cura. Our awards speak for themselves!
Just recently the Cura team was honored for its top-rated food services at RosePointe Senior Living in Roseville, MN with a Best Meals and Dining in Senior Living Award by A Place for Mom!
Cura was recognized for excellence in food service and nutritious meals by our talented chefs and culinary teams that use only top quality and wholesome ingredients that keep residents healthy, and just as important, excited for their next meal!
Kudos to Unit Manager Gina Dee and Executive Chef Peter Rowe who have worked very hard over the past year, engaging with their team members and the residents they serve every day to create a welcoming dining experience!
“My husband and I enjoy eating in the dining room for many reasons. The food is nutritious, hot, and great tasting! Cura has friendly servers, and it is a place to get to know our neighbors. We are grateful for all of their great work,” says resident Kathy Huffman.
Cura was also a 2022 recipient of the Best Customer Service Concept from Food Management Magazine! The culinary team at Presbyterian Senior Living (PSL) Westminster Woods at Huntingdon in PA won for its online order app titled westwoodsdining.com.
The concept was nominated by PSL Westminster Woods at Huntingdon Executive Director Chad Evans who says:
“It’s been nothing but a positive experience. Since most of the meal breaks are taken at the same time, the ordering app helps to save time for our staff as well as streamline prep for our café team. It’s tough work, so the technology has made a difference for my staff as they are able to have their full break during lunch or supper. They also love how they can specialize their orders – they are able to customize what they want!
“Since WestWoods Dining was introduced, residents are sharing rave reviews. Expanded dining hours better fit our busy lives; flexible (a la carte) ordering lets us have light meals when we want; and more sides, soups, and starters let us customize our meals. The lessons from staff to introduce the program were a huge help in flattening our learning curves while the outreach of caring neighbors supports residents who occasionally struggle,” says Sandy Loughlin, Resident Dining Chair.
Food Management’s Best Concept Awards program is designed to recognize innovative and creative initiatives undertaken by onsite dining operations in the markets it covers, including K-12 schools, colleges, healthcare, and senior living facilities, business/industry locations, and sports/entertainment venues.
