Culinary leaders to compete for 2026 title at upcoming finale
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — April 24, 2026 — The stage is set in Chattanooga as the Morning Pointe Senior Living Top Chef Challenge prepares for its final round, following an exciting Regional Round II competition in Middle Tennessee.
At Morning Pointe of Brentwood Assisted Living and Memory Care, top culinary talent from the Cumberland Nashville-area region gathered for a live cook-off after advancing through Round I, where residents and regional leaders cast their votes.
After an evening filled with creativity, competition, and standout dishes, Caletta Alsup, Food Service Director at Morning Pointe of Brentwood, earned first place with her Chicken Monterey. With the win, she now advances to the final competition, set for May 19 at 5:30 p.m. at Morning Pointe of Chattanooga — the home base of Morning Pointe Senior Living, founded by Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow — where she will compete for the title of Morning Pointe Senior Living Top Chef 2026.
Alsup will join other regional winners from across the Southeast, each bringing their own signature style and resident-inspired dishes to the final stage.
Second place in the Cumberland region went to Jamie Rutherford, Food Service Director at Morning Pointe of Spring Hill, for his Mama’s Potato Soup, while Eric Harshfield, Food Service Director at Morning Pointe of Louisville, placed third with his Hawaiian Sliders.
The Top Chef Challenge highlights the passion, creativity, and dedication of Morning Pointe’s dining teams, giving residents a voice in selecting their favorite dishes and offering communities a closer look at the thought and care behind every meal.
“Each round of this competition builds excitement and showcases the incredible talent within our communities,” said Justin Leiter, Director of Dining Operations for Morning Pointe Senior Living. “We’re looking forward to bringing our top chefs together in Chattanooga for a final competition that celebrates everything our dining program stands for.”
The final event at Morning Pointe of Chattanooga will bring together the best of the best, with competitors evaluated on taste and texture, presentation and creativity, nutrition and balance, resident appeal, cost and feasibility, and overall professionalism.
Community members, families, and guests are invited to experience the energy and talent behind Morning Pointe dining as the competition comes to a close.
For more information about the dining experience at Morning Pointe Senior Living, visit https://morningpointe.com/life-at-morning-pointe/dining/.
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.
