Casey’s Pond Revitalizes Culinary Program and Enhances the Community Experience
Enhancing the overall culinary experience with improved food quality and customized menus
Prioritizing resident input into the community’s dining increases resident satisfaction and builds community
Collaboration, increased transparency, and resident engagement produces successful outcomes
Casey’s Pond is a nonprofit senior living community in scenic Steamboat Springs, Colorado. They partner with CCL Hospitality Group in collaboration with Duet Hospitality to provide Morrison Living dining and hospitality to their residents. The partnership has transformed the culinary program and significantly enhanced the community experience at Casey’s Pond.
Jeanine Woosley, Executive Director at Casey’s Pond, recognized that the quality of food and hospitality experience was lacking with their previous provider. As this was a crucial factor in the overall resident experience and supports their mission to be a thriving community that enriches the quality of life for residents, they opted for a new hospitality partnership.
The top priority for Casey’s Pond was to improve the quality of food and the overall culinary experience for residents. They sought a partner who could elevate the dining experience and provide residents with exceptional meals.
The community sensed a lack of connection with their previous provider, making it clear that a change was necessary to better serve the residents. This shift to a new partnership marked a significant improvement that went beyond a mere contractual arrangement.
I cannot say enough about how wonderful this culinary team is and how connected they are to our residents.
JEANINE WOOSLEY
Executive Director | Casey’s Pond
The partnership so fully encompassed the goals that it became woven in the fabric of the Casey’s Pond community. The Dining Director’s active involvement with marketing and producing special events exemplified the partnership’s depth of capabilities.
A food forum was established to allow residents to provide input on menus, fostering a greater sense of ownership that helps build community in the long term. Awards and recognition, such as the community’s “Eden Awards”, recognizes exceptional team members, highlighting the collaborative spirit between the community and the Morrison Living team.
Beyond the improved culinary experience, the team consistently went above and beyond, providing support even in non-dining related situations. The community bonding helped to promote meaningful connections both among residents and between team members and residents.
One remarkable facet of this partnership is the work the culinary team puts in to ensure a deep understanding of the residents. They know as much about the residents as the nutrition and wellness team does, enabling them to create even more personalized dining experiences. The team’s ability to recognize and act on the little moments that make a difference has been a significant factor in this successful partnership.
One particularly special story highlights the dedication of the culinary team. When a resident expressed a desire to start an aquarium, a sous chef with a passion for aquariums volunteered their own time to assist with setting up and caring for the fish. This act of kindness and dedication earned them a prestigious Eden award.
One of the partnership’s additional successes has been the customization of menus to cater to each population’s specific food preferences. Residents actively participate in menu planning and provide feedback, feeling heard and valued in the process. Insights into the supply chain and procurement process are also shared with residents, increasing transparency and enhancing resident engagement.
By prioritizing the quality of the food and the dining experience, Casey’s Pond has successfully fostered strong connections and embraced resident engagement. As they look to the future, Casey’s Pond anticipates building on this foundation of success, forging new paths in senior living excellence and fulfilling their promise that life’s next adventure starts here.
All of the team members feel like part of our family. It doesn’t feel like a contractual arrangement.
JEANINE WOOSLEY
This is evident in all aspects of our dining program.
Executive Director | Casey’s Pond
