At Morning Pointe Senior Living, we recognize that great meals are about more than just nutrition — they’re about comfort, connection, and quality of life. During Pride in Food Service Week 2025 (Feb. 3-7), we celebrate the dedicated culinary teams who make every dining experience special for our residents.
A Dining Conversation
In honor of this special week, we recently interviewed Stephanie Peyton, a food service director at one of Morning Pointe Senior Living’s Alzheimer’s Centers of Excellence, as well as Renea Gartland-Alvey, director of nursing at the Morning Pointe assisted living community next door. In our latest Couch Conversation video, they share what is so special about dining services and the relationships that associates can build in the Morning Pointe family.
“One of the things that I love is being able to prepare meals for the residents that they love,” Stephanie shared. “To hear someone say, ‘This is how my grandmother made something,’ it just makes my heart happy.”
Stephanie enjoys putting the special into well-loved favorites, from bringing out the possible flavors of spaghetti to crafting a heavenly meatloaf, as well as getting extra-creative for special occasions with her signature cheese ball creations and decadent desserts.
“I like to try to go a little bit above and beyond – I like the wow that people get from that,” Stephanie added.

Stephanie and her dietary team even achieved a 100% score in January 2025 for their kitchen, which shows the attention to detail and cleanliness in addition to focus on making residents happy with their food.
Conclusion
From thoughtfully crafted menus to warm, restaurant-style service, our dining professionals ensure that seniors in our assisted living and memory care communities enjoy meals that are not only nutritious but also meaningful. Join us in thanking these hardworking individuals, like Stephanie, who bring joy to the table every day!
