Much More than Dinner at South Park Senior Center (SPSC)
Insights from a Food Lifeline Agency Partner
What makes dinnertime special for seniors?
Katherine Jordan, SPSC Executive Director, and Corey Poonacha, Operations Manager, recognize the power of a shared meal to connect people. Enjoying food together not only nourishes us, it nurtures a sense of joy and well-being.
Seniors rave about dining at South Park Senior Citizens. One guest shared: “I love having that feeling, just like a family, enjoying a warm meal with other seniors.”
From Operations Manager and former Executive Chef, Corey Poonacha: “One of my favorite aspects of a nicely plated fish fillet is a beautifully crisped seared skin. We cook for 65 seniors each night. Using catering cooking methods, we can steam or roast the fish portions and hold them hot for easy, fast service. However, this means that the fish will not be presented with a crispy seared skin. Thinking creatively, our chefs skin the fish and crisp it separately. The beautiful, nutritious skin garnishes each plate. This technique is our new standard for presenting fish to our seniors.”
Technique for Crisping Fish Skin:
- Line a flat sheet pan with an oiled parchment paper.
- Carefully remove fish skin from filet; pat dry.
- Lightly salt and pepper the fish skin and lay flat in a sheet pan.
- Lightly brush oil on top of skins and cover with a second parchment paper.
- Lay a second sheet pan to press and weigh down the top of the skins and roast in the oven at 375°F for 10-15 mins until the skin is crispy.
PHOTO: SPSC purchased the salmon in this photo from local tribal fishermen through the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program.