Blog Feature

By: Marissa Salvesen on March 21st, 2016

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Wesley Village Chef Wins First Place in the 2016 CALA Chef Challenge!

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Hector_s_award_-_Copy.jpgShelton, CT (Wednesday, March 9, 2016) – Wesley Village Chef, Hector Velez, was recently recognized for excellence in the 2016 Chef Challenge at the Connecticut Assisted Living Association’s (CALA) 21st Annual Conference and Trade Show. Velez, Chef Manager at Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community at Wesley Village, won first place for his entrée, “Mofungo with Shrimp,” in the seafood category of the challenge. The annual competition, which featured several of the best chefs in senior living in all of Connecticut, is designed to showcase creativity using a variety of food products. Contestants are judged by a panel of professional chefs on several scoring elements including: organization, sanitation, creativity, culinary technique, portion size, taste, presentation, nutritional balance, utilization of ingredients, and use of allotted time. All competitors received 60 minutes to fabricate, prepare, and cook their dish, with an additional 15 minutes allocated for dish-up and judging. Winners in each category (Beef, Poultry, Seafood) were awarded the “Chopped Award”. The event was held on Thursday, March 3 rd at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Cromwell, CT. Congratulations to Chef Velez and the Crosby Commons community on this fine award!

Crosby Commons is located on the Wesley Village Campus and offers award-winning independent and assisted senior living options, along with access to a broad continuum of care. The campus is located at 580 Long Hill Avenue in Shelton and is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local mission-based, not-for- profit organization. To learn more about senior living options at Crosby Commons or Wesley Village, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or contact Lisa Bisson at 203.225.5024.

Photo Caption: Chef Manager Hector Velez (center) shows off his award-winning entrée at the CALA 2016 Chef Challenge. Pictured with Crosby Commons Executive Director, Lori Pisani (left) and Chef Supervisor, Richard Scaife (right)

About Marissa Salvesen

My journey into the world of senior living began when I started working for United Methodist Homes in 2010. Starting as an Activities Director at one of our-winning assisted and independent living communities and then transitioning to Marketing and Promotions Manager for UMH, I now work as the Manager of Mission Development, fostering the Mission and Values of our organization. I love sharing stories about the many ways we build meaningful relationships and enrich the lives of those we serve, and am proud to be part of building UMH’s 140-year legacy of caring. Wondering what makes our communities such special places to live and work? Connect with me and find out!

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