Going Local
Courtesy of The Forum at Park Lane, North Dallas LIVING WELL Magazine
Chef Paul Glassman at The Forum at Park Lane is not your ordinary chef. Then again, this is no ordinary senior living community either. The Forum at Park Lane is known to be the pioneer of upscale senior communities in the Dallas area. It is a five-star senior living community that includes independent senior living, rehabilitation, assisted living and skilled nursing. Each branch of the community is served the same high standard of dining including their own dining rooms, their own dining staff, and high quality restaurant style dining throughout. Chef Paul handpicks each member of his team for his or her passion to serve.
Chef Paul has excelled in the hospitality industry for over 25 years. He has worked in Washington D.C. at the Congressional Country Club cooking for U.S. senators, presidents of the United States, and CEOs of some of the world’s largest corporations. He has even cooked for Harry Haller, the Emeritus Chef of the White House. Chef Paul takes pride in having served at the prestigious and historic Omni Shoreham Hotel, a hangout spot for classic celebrities like Clark Gable and Frank Sinatra, as well as an official inaugural ball venue. The Forum at Park Lane and its residents hit the proverbial jackpot to have such a phenomenal chef on staff.
Chef Paul launched the “Going Local Campaign” at The Forum at Park Lane in 2009. He utilizes the herbs and vegetables grown by the residents in the on-site green house as part of this campaign. He purchases only choice meats and fresh fruits and vegetables as opposed to canned. Keeping the residents healthy and being environmentally friendly are some of his most important goals.
In addition to the day-to-day meals he prepares, he also oversees food and beverage preparation for galas, conferences, open house parties, wine tastings, bistro dinners, chef table nights and holiday events held at The Forum. He just recently showered the guests of the Independent Living Grand Re-Opening with a variety feast and delectable dessert bar. It is opportunities such as this where Chef Paul and his team debut new levels of culinary excellence.
The Forum’s independent living residents head out to Thanksgiving Square with their Activities Director Ellis Paddack and distribute food to the homeless every other month. Chef Paul oversees the preparation of these meals. “I am enormously privileged to work with the residents of The Forum. My goal is to be hands-on and to deliver a first class food service program. During my time at The Forum at Park Lane, I have developed a passion for serving in senior living. This is a calling that demands high service, excellent quality and constant innovation,” says Chef Paul.
The conventional assumption that meals in senior living are sub-standard is a distant memory. Most recently, senior living communities are progressing toward offering a fine dining experience to their residents. Food is a hot button issue and can sometimes be the deciding factor for a family interested in a senior living community. The guests who have dined at The Forum at Park Lane have been impressed with the quality of meals, service, presentation and attention to detail.
For an invitation to dine or tour at The Forum at Park Lane, call 214-369-9902.
