What happens when you combine a professional chef with a retirement home worker? You get Chef Ray Canos, Culinary Director at Cadence at Kent-Meridian, the retirement community opening soon in Kent, Washington. Chef Ray’s dad has been a professional sushi chef since the age of 14, and her mom has had a long, successful career caring for seniors.

“We used to visit the Auburn Retirement Home with my mom and do hula dancing for the residents. I realized how much I loved caring for seniors and improving their day-to-day life,” she says. “My parents both came from really big families, so I spent a lot of time helping to care for my uncles and aunties — helping with cooking, laundry, clipping toe nails. Caring for our elders was really important.”

Meet Chef Ray Wednesday, March 23 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Chef Ray has been cooking in retirement homes for a decade, and says getting to build her team and her menu from scratch has been a “bucket list” goal that she’s excited to tackle at Cadence at Kent-Meridian.

“This is my third time building a team, and I love creating a supportive culture. My mantra is to always say ‘yes,’ and find a way to offer solutions. I encourage everyone to work together as a team, all helping each other.”

As for the food, the ENCORE Dining Services at Cadence offer plenty of choice, flexibility and flavor. Residents can expect a variety of daily specials, plus a wide range of staples available daily including Green Machine smoothies, Pacific Northwest salmon, steak and chicken, gourmet sandwiches and fresh vegetables from Charlie’s Produce.

Potential residents are invited to sample Chef Ray’s cooking at a special event this Wednesday, March 23.

“I’m making my signature Apple Roses — thinly sliced apple and peach preserve overlapped with puff pastry. After it’s arranged I set it on top of a muffin tin and when it comes out of the oven it looks just like a rose.”

Custom nutrition for seniors in a restaurant setting

At Cadence, all menu items are approved by a registered dietician, and by using the Grove Menu it’s easy to check if items are suitable for a low-salt, low-sugar or other diet. Chef Ray has extensive experience creating flavorful cuisine to support active seniors, and can’t wait to start serving residents later this spring.

For more information on amenities and available homes, visit cadencesl.com/communities/cadence-at-kent-meridian, or call 253-549-9300 to schedule a tour. Follow Cadence at Kent-Meridian on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news!

From left, Chef Ray Canos, Culinary Director; D’Ann Lusain, Business Office Director; Wes Wallace, Facilities Director; Amanda Kirilenko Community Relations Director; Monica Rangel, Executive Director. From left, Chef Ray Canos, Culinary Director; D’Ann Lusain, Business Office Director; Wes Wallace, Facilities Director; Amanda Kirilenko Community Relations Director; Monica Rangel, Executive Director.