On October 1, the Loaves and Fishes Cookshop in Garden City, New York, was bustling with activity. Spectators watched appreciatively as four teams of chefs unleashed their creativity and prepared unique and delicious dishes. The competition was fierce at Atria’s first “Iron Chef”-style competition, based on the popular television show seen on the Food Network. Food Service Directors from eight Atria communities on Long Island showed off their talents and competed to create delicious meals featuring the secret ingredient, filet of beef.

Dishes were judged on a scale of 1 to 10, with criteria including presentation, originality, taste and level of difficulty. The judges were local luminaries, including Norman Wasserman, president of Friend Entertainment, Inc.; Rich Von Ohlen, executive director of weather at News12 television station; and Mary Malloy, editor of the Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald.

Atria’s signature Art of Atria Dining program serves up delicious and nutritious meals to more than 14,000 residents daily, and Atria’s talented Food Service Directors make that happen. With experience ranging from corporate catering to restaurant ownership, each Atria Food Service Director brings their own special flare to the table, but the one thing they all share is a love of cooking.

“I am so proud of the incredible dining Atria provides,” said Fredrick Murphy, Regional Food Service Director. “This was a phenomenal chance to showcase our talented chefs and show the world how creative we can be.”

Dorsey Harris knows that the best food is cooked with love. Having served as the Food Service Director at Atria Newburgh in Newburgh, Indiana for five years, Dorsey ensures residents' meals are not only delicious, but also healthy.

"The meals our residents enjoy are often their own recipes and suggestions," said Holli Lacefield, Executive Director of Atria Newburgh. "For them, Dorsey is their personal chef."

After working in the culinary industry for many years, Dorsey's efforts were recently recognized by the Indiana Assisted Living Federation of America (IALFA) when she received the Outstanding Food Service Director Award for 2007. The IALFA awards were created to recognize employees who positively affect the lives of those being served in assisted living.

"I love working at Atria," says Dorsey. "If I can make a resident happy by preparing something they enjoy or miss from long ago, then I am happy. It is my goal every day to somehow touch someone's life - I am lucky that I get to do it with food."

Prepare One of Dorsey's Favorite Dishes for Yourself!

Dorsey's Famous Chicken

Ingredients:

4-5 chicken breasts

˝ cup brown sugar

1 quart stewed tomatoes

˝ Tbs garlic powder

1 Tbs diced onion

2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

Spread chicken breasts on a baking sheet. Mix ingredients together and pour over chicken. Bake in oven for about 30 minutes or until chicken reaches 180°.