As the renowned chef, Julia Child once said, “People who love to eat are always the best people.”. At Aviva – A Campus for Senior Life, we believe this whole-heartedly and provide our residents with food that warms the soul. This is all made possible with the guidance and care of Aviva’s Executive Chef, Ignacio Suarez.

Dining Should Be an Experience

Chef Ignacio has been creating perfectly curated meals for our guests for over 19 years now because he’s passionate about Aviva’s promise to enhance the lives of residents. Before joining the team at Aviva, Chef Ignacio was classically trained and even owner of his own restaurant for 8 years in Miami. But there’s something that resonates with Chef Ignacio about the senior living community we have at Aviva. “What brought me to Aviva was the sense of community… it isn’t just a community for people to live in but a place to grow and expand their horizons.”, says Chef Ignacio.

Health and Happiness

In the past, senior living communities have gotten a bad reputation for serving food that is bland and tasteless for health benefit. What makes Chef Ignacio special is his ability to take healthy ingredients and transform them into something that will satisfy the taste buds. As a classically trained Chef who owned and operated his own restaurant in Miami for 8 years, Chef Ignacio has a passion for finding new and exciting ways to present meals and put smiles on the faces of our residents!

Chef Ignacio has worked with a registered dietitian to hand-select ingredients for the menu. Each day Chef Ignacio works with local farms and vendors to bring in the freshest produce and more importantly freshly caught Florida seafood. Looking for Chef Ignacio’s secret ingredient? It is most likely growing in his on-campus herb garden which he manages with the help of residents. From homemade soup broths to handmade culturally unique bake goods, Chef Ignacio and his longstanding team continue to push the boundaries of what is possible for dining at Aviva.

How Good Food Enhances Wellbeing

Our seniors can order room service and have specially prepared meals sent to their apartments but dining with the cuisine from Chef Ignacio is an experience. Conversation and laughter are shared over a delicious meal in the Kobernick dining room, giving residents the chance to socialize and make last friendships.

Good food has been scientifically proven to improve mood, but the social aspect of eating a meal with friends also plays a big part in this. Socialization can lead to a lowered risk of dementia, improve mental health and feeling of depressions as well as have positive effects on older adult’s immune systems. And what better way to bring people together than with a warm meal.

They say the easiest way to someone’s heart is through their stomach – and based on the warmth Chef Ignacio’s dishes bring to our residents’ lives, we have to agree. We’re always looking for ways to bring residents in our senior living community together, and we thank Chef Ignacio for helping us do it each and every day!

Experience the possibilities, contact the senior care experts at Aviva today.