Summary
Executive Chef Brandy Foster approaches senior living dining with creativity, consistency and personal care – from resident-inspired meals to themed culinary events. Her work at Holiday Regent recently earned a regional FLAME Award recognizing culinary excellence across communities managed by Atria.
Every time Executive Chef Brandy Foster stirs a pot of soup or sauce at Holiday Regent in Corvallis, Oregon, she adds three bay leaves. It’s a quiet ritual with a simple meaning. Each leaf signifies one word in a phrase that is key to her work, “I love you.”
Chef Foster’s approach to cooking is detailed, intentional and deeply personal. That attention and care recently earned Foster a regional FLAME Award, Atria’s recognition program for culinary excellence. She was informed of her win during a work meeting, and she didn’t see it coming.
“When my name was called, it took me by surprise. I got teary-eyed,” she recalls. “I just focus on the work and taking care of the residents from day to day. I couldn’t have done this without my team.”
What is dining like at Holiday senior living communities?
Dining at Holiday senior living communities is shaped by chefs who care deeply about the resident experience. At Holiday Regent in Corvallis, that means weekly menus tailored to resident preferences, thoughtful attention to dietary needs and dishes residents genuinely look forward to eating.
Chef Foster draws on years of experience and a sharp instinct for flavor to shape each meal. She also has a gift for improvisation. One evening after her shift, Foster was craving something specific and threw together a dish at home on instinct.
“I really wanted tortellini with a lemon turmeric sauce. I improvised the dish at home, and it was so good! So, I put it on our menu for the residents, and it’s now one of their favorites,” she says with a smile.
How do Holiday senior living communities help residents feel at home?
For many families exploring senior living, the dining experience is incredibly important. Mealtimes help shape the rhythm of the day and the feeling of a community. Chef Foster thinks about that every time she steps into her kitchen.
She grew up cooking alongside her father from age six, absorbing lessons and techniques that have never left her.
“Food was always a huge part of my life,” she says. “I always try to make sure I would be excited to eat what I serve.”
That commitment extends well beyond the plate. Foster hosts monthly chef meetings where residents share feedback and make suggestions or requests. She attends community events and stays present in the dining room after meals.
She even transforms holiday traditions into full experiences. For instance, she recently hosted an Alice in Wonderland tea party complete with:
- Cheshire Cat deviled eggs dyed with beet juice for a vivid purple color
- Tea sandwiches shaped with card suit cutouts – spades, hearts, clubs and diamonds
- A themed menu that turned an ordinary afternoon into a memory
“That party was a big hit with the residents and one of my favorites from the past year,” she says.
What is Atria Senior Living’s FLAME Award?
The FLAME Award recognizes outstanding chefs across communities managed by Atria, including Holiday senior living communities. Recognition is based on resident feedback and the overall quality of the culinary program, and Chef Foster’s work is a strong example of that excellence.
When asked about the award, she is characteristically humble.
“A combination of many things helped us win the award. I say ‘us’ because I couldn’t have done it without my kitchen team,” she says.
She also credits careful attention to plating and food photography, something her team started prioritizing when Holiday began sharing photos of new dishes across communities.
“Our team’s meals look really appetizing,” she says. “I’m proud of the dishes we’re able to create and share.”
Explore Holiday senior living communities near you
Employees at Holiday by Atria communities bring their whole selves to their work. People like Chef Foster draw on their histories, passions and even little rituals like three bay leaves added for love.
We invite you to learn more about life at Holiday Regent in Corvallis. You can also explore other Holiday senior living communities across Oregon, where employees create meaningful experiences for residents every day.
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