Inspiring and Engaging Culinary Program at The Vista

“Think about your favorite restaurant in the world and being able to access it every day,” says Schelley Hollyday, Principal in Hollyday Group, a company which focuses solely on senior-living hospitality and is developing the culinary program for The Vista, New Jersey’s new continuing care retirement community coming soon to Christian Health’s (CHCC) Wyckoff campus. “How would you keep it new and fresh? That’s what we are creating at The Vista.”

The Vista will feature three restaurants. Waterstone will be a full-service, fine-dining experience, and the Gallery Café will be a more casual option. Both will offer al fresco dining. The Windmill will offer pub-like fare and take-out options. Catering options will also be available to Vista residents.

Like the wellness component, the culinary program will be heavily influenced by the focus groups.

“We have a saying in this industry: If you’ve seen one retirement community, you’ve seen one retirement community. Every one is different. That’s why The Vista focus groups were so important,” says Ms. Hollyday, who has 30 years of experience in senior-living hospitality. “Among Vista residents, a variety of dining options, the farm-to-fork movement, and transparency about ingredients and preparation are important.”

Armed with this information, Ms. Hollyday is developing menus for each Vista restaurant.

“I am developing the recipe for each menu selection with the input of the culinary team to ensure that The Vista’s chef will be able to get every ingredient needed. We are striving to source as many ingredients as locally as possible. Then, a nutritional analysis of each menu item will be developed,” Ms. Hollyday says. During the focus groups, participants were also asked to name their favorite area restaurants and favorite menu items. “I contacted the restaurants named most frequently and asked if we could incorporate some of their menu items into Vista menus,” Ms. Hollyday says. “The restaurants were quite honored to be recognized in this fashion.”

One of the most exciting aspects of The Vista culinary program will be that menu options will never be stagnant.

“The Vista will have seasonal menus, specific regional selections, and flexible dining experiences,” Ms. Hollyday says. “We will stay on top of trends and what people are looking for when they go to public restaurants so we can replicate what they are having.”

The Vista culinary program will be unique. Each resident will receive culinary credits on a quarterly basis. This allows residents the flexibility to chose restaurants and meals.

“The Vista culinary program will be designed to fit the resident’s lifestyle,” says Andrea Moraski, Vista Sales Counselor. “Residents will have control of when they eat, how often they eat, and what they eat.”

The culinary options are sure to inspire and engage The Vista residents!

Learn more about The Vista’s culinary program and other amenities by visiting The Vista Information Center, 525 Cedar Hill Ave., Cedar Hill Plaza, Wyckoff, NJ. Call (201) 848-4200 or email Live@TheVista.org to make an appointment today.