Local chef earns honor for dining services.
On any given day nearly 100 residents and their guests eat meals at the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home, a nursing care facility. Not just any meals — they make up an award-winning food program led by nutrition services director and executive chef Greg Parsley.
Last summer, Parsley was awarded The Perry Foundation’s prestigious Endeavor Award for Innovation in Dining. The award recognizes a skilled nursing facility or assisted living community for embracing a person-centered approach to dining excellence while maintaining standards to ensure resident health and wellness.
Dining Options Abound
Parsley and staff members work from a main kitchen to provide food to six satellite kitchens serving meals from six dining rooms within the living quarters. In addition, Manzanita Grill operates as a restaurant where residents often bring guests to order off a menu featuring anything from a daily fish special to barbecued ribs, a grilled chicken Caesar wrap, and fettuccini Alfredo.
“The talents of Parsley combined with a new design concept at the home have brought about a unique dining experience for residents, families, and community supporters of the home,” says Nevada Department of Veterans Services director Kat Miller. “The food service goes well above and beyond the requirements for menu planning and dietary management, as well as meeting federal and state health requirements.”
The 96-bed skilled nursing care facility is home to veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star parents, and it offers round-the-clock nursing care from a specialized clinical team. In addition to medical services, residents have many accommodations and entertainment options, including a Town Hall area offering event snacks and beverages in the Eagle Sports Bar and Cui-Ui Coffee Bistro.
“Our residents enjoy the food and common areas here, and they like to show off the place to loved ones,” Parsley notes. “We want to serve our veterans. It sets us apart and gives us a purpose to offer the best food and care we can.”
For details, visit Veterans.nv.gov.
Freelance writer Heidi Bethel fondly remembers when her 99-year-old grandmother was housed inside a skilled nursing facility and they spent time together in the common dining area. She is grateful such a place exists for those who served our country.
