Today’s Seniors Expecting More From The Table At Independent Living Community Released by: Christine Dwyer Web Site: http://www.princetonwindrows.com Princeton Windrows Chef brings fine dining to their independent living community residences. Email: princeton@mcdougallinteractive.com Keywords: Independent Living Community, Independent Living Residence, Active Adult Communities Update Date: 4/18/2007 12:41:17 PM Hits: 254 Descrption:  Princeton, NJ -- Escargot, avocado with smoked salmon moose, fried Jersey tomatoes, Windrows crab cakes; just a sprinkle of what Chef Richard Blagrave brings to the table. The rich and varied servings are reflective of senior living residents wanting more of a fine dining experience, says Blagrave, who has more than 15 years experience in senior living food service. The director of culinary services at Princeton Windrows Senior Living Community, Blagrave works to satisfy some very discriminating palates. His menu and approach are more similar to fine restaurant dining than traditional senior living food service. “Seniors are more particular and diverse in their tastes than ever before,” says Blagrave, who holds an AOS degree in culinary arts from Philadelphia’s Restaurant School of Walnut Hill College. “They demand lots of choices, special requests and flexibility. Senior living dining is changing.” Patty Anderson, formerly of Long Island, retired at Princeton Windrows several years ago with her husband and friends. She is very pleased with Chef Blagrave, who began working at the independent living community in April. “We’ve dined all over the world and his work is inventive and outstanding,” says Anderson, who chairs the food services committee. “People are retiring earlier, in better health and making smarter choices. The bar for the quality of food and service is rising. People want great food and good presentation. Mr. Blagrave provides both, and with a great selection that changes every day. You rarely get any complaints here, and that’s saying a lot with our residents’ palates.” Blagrave uses local in-season fruits and vegetables, fresh seafood, and rarely repeats a selection of daily and nightly specials. He offers an expansive lunch and dinner menu, serving five new entrees every night, in addition to 14 standard dishes. He also embraces special requests and works to replicate resident’s favorite family recipes. Crab is now in high season and Blagrave’s Windrows crab cakes are on top of the order list. “One key to great crab cakes is not to break up the lump,” Blagrave says. “The sweet nuggets of crab should be left to release their flavor on the palate, not on the plate.” His restaurant-style approach also shows in more attention to service and detail, which are becoming more important to discriminating seniors. He focuses on proper table service, presentation, and staff training to ensure quality and consistency. Blagrave visits residents’ tableside for input on what they like, what they want to see new on the menu, and what they want specially prepared. Blagrave says that today’s independent seniors are also looking for more flexibility and convenience in their dining. “It’s all about pleasing our residents,” Blagrave says. “Tastes and preferences are evolving.” Blagrave, who lives in Levittown, PA, is a member of the American Culinary Federation, the Certified Dietary Manager's Association and is a certified food protection professional. Princeton Windrows is an independent living community located in Princeton, New Jersey. The upscale community features distinctive villas, town homes and apartment-style condominiums on a 35-acre landscape. Visit http://www.princetonwindrows.com or contact Christine Dwyer at 800-708-7007 for more information