LEXINGTON, Ky. — April 10, 2026 — The energy was high, and the competition was fierce as Morning Pointe Senior Living hosted Round 2 of its Top Chef Challenge in the Bluegrass Region at Morning Pointe of Lexington Assisted Living.
At the end of an exciting evening of creativity and skill, Kevin Horner, Food Service Director at Morning Pointe of Lexington Assisted Living, claimed the top spot with his standout take on shrimp and grits.
Second place was awarded to Lauren VanHooser, Food Service Director at Morning Pointe of Richmond Assisted Living, for her Kentucky Hot Brown, and third place went to Chris Stratton, Food Service Director at Morning Pointe of Danville Assisted Living, for his fried chicken.
With the win, Horner will advance to the final round of the Morning Pointe Senior Living Top Chef Challenge in Ooltewah, Tennessee, where he will compete for the 2026 title.
The Morning Pointe Senior Living Top Chef Challenge is a multi-round competition that highlights the creativity, heart, and dedication behind the organization’s dining teams. Each dish is judged by a panel of culinary professionals and local food enthusiasts on criteria including taste and texture, presentation and creativity, nutrition and balance, resident appeal, cost and feasibility, and overall professionalism.
“This competition really showcases the pride our Food Service Directors take in what they do every day,” said Justin Leiter. “It’s about great food, but it’s also about creating meals that our residents truly enjoy and look forward to.”
The live cook-off offered attendees a unique opportunity to experience the talent behind Morning Pointe’s dining program, while cheering on competitors and enjoying an evening centered around food and community.
Judges for the Bluegrass Regional Round included:
- Kyla Collins, founder of Sissy Cooks It Up and featured Food Network baker
- Kris Wilson, healthcare sales manager for Gordon Food Service
- Rob Bolson, published food and culture writer
Additional regional competitions will continue across Morning Pointe Senior Living communities in the coming weeks, leading up to the final round.
To learn more about the dining experience at Morning Pointe Senior Living and the culinary teams behind it, visit: https://bit.ly/morningpointedining
About Morning Pointe Senior Living
Founded in 1997 by healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living operates assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in five southeastern states, including AL, GA, IN, KY & TN. For more information, visit morningpointe.com.
The philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living is the Morning Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to provide clinical scholarships and caregiver support.
