Charlestown retirement community’s on-site restaurants, several of which recently underwent a major kitchen overhaul, this week rolled out Signature Dining, a new Erickson Living-wide program that features fresh, made-to-order menu offerings.

Signature Dining is the result of collaborative efforts between community members, dining services staff and corporate dining partners. Focus groups were held to determine which entrées residents most enjoy.

Dining Services Director Jim Basham says under the Signature Dining program, virtually all menu items in the full service dining rooms are prepared at the time of service, creating a more personalized and exceptional culinary experience.

“The advantages to Signature Dining mean that meals are prepared especially for residents each night when ordered, rather than being cooked in large batches and kept warm,” Basham says. “This program means the food will be hotter, fresher, and even better tasting.”

“Most of residents’ favorite dishes, such as steak, pasta and grilled seafood, are still on the men”, Basham says. “But now, the flavor and temperature is even better because food isn’t prepared ahead of time.

"And because we are coking to order and virtually eliminating the waste from our previous program we can offer a much greater variety on menu choices. Entrée choices alone will be 100+ on any given day across campus,” he says.

The dining services staff went through extensive training in preparation for the rollout of the Signature Dining program, and they are using new cooking methods and equipment to sauté and grill food as orders come in.

 “The difference is that the quality is much better, service and selection are much more personalized and the variety of choice is expanded greatly,” Basham says.