The Garland's Dining Manager Receives High Award

Alicia Leszko, Nutrition and Dining Manger, received the 2013 Rising Star Award from Life Services Network of Illinois (LSN). The award is given to employees and organizations in the older adult industry that “put quality first, deliver excellence and inspire others to do the same.”            

Prairieview residents appreciate the enthusiastic, customer-service focus that Leszko brings to assisted living dining. With an associate degree in culinary arts from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago and a background in restaurant and hotel hospitality, Leszko constantly strives to offer creative and delicious food choices. She emphasizes cooking with fresh herbs picked from the community’s garden, offers monthly entrée carving and breakfast omelet stations, and implemented cookie and pastry baking each afternoon. 

According to the latest resident satisfaction survey results, residents are happy with the quality of Food and Beverage services under Leszko’s leadership. Leszko, who started as a cook and was promoted to management, embraced her new responsibilities, becoming a Certified Dietary Manger and a Certified Food Protection Professional. Always looking for areas of improvement, Leszko added self-serve dispensers of flavored water to encourage residents to drink more fluids. She is currently experimenting with the use of food scents to stimulate the appetite of residents with memory loss.

“Alicia delivers the award-winning service that The Garlands is known for by continually offering a variety of nutritious and delicious foods and creating positive dining experiences that contribute to the overall quality of life Prairieview residents enjoy,” said Istvan Abdai, The Garlands Director of Food and Beverage.