If it’s Wednesday afternoon and you’re looking for David Faron, executive chef of Lenoir Woods, a Lutheran Senior Services Life Plan Community, you’re most likely going to find him sorting through a shipment of local produce. He’s picking through the end of season tomatoes and first squashes of the year. He’s thinking about what herbs his team harvested from the kitchen’s garden this morning. And he’s considering how these fresh ingredients can come together for exciting, slightly unexpected menus for the three restaurants at Lenoir Woods.
“I like to cook what makes people happy,” said Chef Faron, who after years of local restaurant experience has a good grasp on the tastes of Mid-Missouri and especially Columbia. “Our residents appreciate that I’m trying to use the bounty of Mid-Missouri produce.”
Chef Faron and his team focus on using locally sourced ingredients in preparation of a selection of both favorite meals and exciting dishes, all with a consistently high level of quality.
“For many people, a delicious meal is our favorite part of the day,” Chef Faron added. “We try to impress our residents with both familiar and new options to meet the tastes of any palette.”
In addition to using his regular shipments of fresh, local produce for menu inspiration, Chef Faron holds monthly open Food Meetings. These gatherings bring together residents to hear an update from the Chef and his kitchen staff and talk about what dishes they liked or didn’t like and what they would like to see on future menus.
“We’re all here to make the residents’ experience special,” said Chef Faron. “The food can make it or break it. I think we’re making it.”
To learn more about Lenoir Woods, including how to set up a tour, visit the Lenoir Woods web page.