LEXINGTON, KY —March 19, 2026— Culinary creativity and friendly competition will take center stage April 8 as Morning Pointe Senior Living hosts Round 2: Regional Selection of the Morning Pointe Senior Living Top Chef Challenge 2026 at Morning Pointe of Lexington Assisted Living.
The Morning Pointe Senior Living Top Chef Challenge is a multi-round culinary competition that celebrates the creativity, skill, and heart behind Morning Pointe’s culinary teams. It begins with residents tasting and voting on scratch-made dishes prepared by their community’s Food Service Directors. Those resident-selected chefs then advance to regional competitions, where they compete for a place in the final round.
The live competition will feature four Food Service Directors from Morning Pointe Senior Living communities competing for a place in the 2026 Top Chef Challenge finals. Each chef will prepare a dish that will be evaluated by a panel of local food enthusiasts and culinary professionals.
Judges will evaluate dishes using a variety of criteria, including taste and texture, presentation and creativity, nutrition and balance, resident appeal, cost and feasibility, the story and inspiration behind the dish, and overall cleanliness and professionalism in the kitchen.
“At Morning Pointe, dining is about more than just preparing meals. It’s about creating experiences that residents look forward to each day,” said Justin Leiter, Director of Dining Operations for Morning Pointe Senior Living. “The Top Chef Challenge gives our Food Service Directors a chance to showcase their creativity, culinary skill, and passion for serving older adults. It’s exciting to see the pride they take in developing dishes that are not only delicious, but also nutritious and meaningful for the residents they serve.”
The competition highlights the creativity and dedication behind the dining programs at Morning Pointe Senior Living communities, where culinary teams focus on scratch cooking and thoughtfully prepared meals designed to support both nutrition and enjoyment for residents.
Executive Director Chase Williams encourages the community to attend and experience the event firsthand.
“We invite everyone to join us for this fun and exciting event,” said Chase Williams, Executive Director at Morning Pointe of Lexington Assisted Living. “Whether you are a foodie, someone interested in learning more about senior living, looking to volunteer, or even considering a career in this field, this is a great opportunity to see for yourself everything Morning Pointe of Lexington and our sister building next door have to offer. It’s a free public event, and Morning Pointe is proud to play a strong role in community involvement, learning, and connection.”
Community members are invited to attend the event and cheer on the regional competitors while experiencing firsthand the talent behind Morning Pointe dining.
The event will take place on Wednesday, April 8, at 5:00 p.m. at Morning Pointe of Lexington Assisted Living, located at 233 Ruccio Way in Lexington.
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.
