'Taste Of Atria' Showcases Cuisine Served At Cranford Senior Community

When you think about the food served at assisted living or senior citizen communities, you'll likely have visions of bland, mushy, unappetizing dishes, rather than restaurant-style creations such as grilled ahi tuna and roast lamb.

in Cranford recently hosted Taste of Atria, which gave local residents and professionals an opportunity to experience some of the restaurant-quality cuisine that Atria residents enjoy every day. Directors of Culinary Services from several Atria communities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania pulled together to make the event possible

About 50 professionals were in attendance during the two-hour event. Doctors, lawyers, financial planners, social workers, realtors and other healthcare professionals to name just a few.

The event was set up as a self-guided tour of the community. Each professional was given a map of the community indicating where the "stations" were located. Each station had different staff and residents so professionals could learn more about the community and talk with the people who live here.

The two most popular dishes of the night were the Savory Roast Lamb Chops with Velvet Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Crisp Green Beans, which featured a Shiraz as its wine pairing. Also popular was the Chargrilled Ahi Tuna on a Lettuce bed with Couscous Pomodoro and a Wasabi Drizzle, served with Riesling. Other dishes included: Tangy Beef Barbecue on Herbed Crostini with Sweet Asian Slaw, served with cabernet-merlot, Spicy Bloody Mary Compote with Sweet Shrimp Shooters, Al Dente Whole Wheat Pasta with Creamy Vodka Sauce served with Moscato wine, an Antipasti Station and dessert area with Bananas Foster cooking display.