Three finalists to compete live on April 15 in the Morning Pointe culinary showdown
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — April 14, 2026 — Tomorrow! The heat is on as Morning Pointe Senior Living hosts the Smoky Regional Round of its 2026 Top Chef Challenge on April 15 at 5:00 p.m. at Morning Pointe of Powell Assisted Living. This live, high-energy cook-off will bring together top culinary talent from across the region for an evening of scratch cooking, creativity, and community.
Set to take the stage, three standout Food Service Directors will represent the Smoky Region in this highly anticipated competition:
Victoria Sieber, The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Lenoir City
Brandon Shelton, The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Knoxville
Brandon Turner, The Lantern at Morning Pointe, Hardin Valley
Each earned their place through strong performances in the community-level competition, where residents sampled and voted on their favorite scratch-made dishes. Tomorrow’s event brings those resident favorites to life on a larger stage, with guests invited to experience the creativity and care behind each dish firsthand.
The Morning Pointe Senior Living Top Chef Challenge is a multi-round culinary competition that celebrates the creativity, skill, and heart behind the organization’s dining teams. It begins at the community level, where residents play a key role in selecting their favorites. From there, top performers advance to regional rounds, with finalists ultimately competing for a place in the 2026 championship.
Now, these three regional finalists will take the stage in a live cooking competition in front of residents, guests, and a panel of judges. Each competitor will prepare a dish to be evaluated on taste, presentation, creativity, nutrition and balance, resident appeal, cost and feasibility, and overall professionalism.
“This competition is a great reflection of the pride and passion our Food Service Directors bring to the table every day,” said Justin Leiter, Director of Dining Operations for Morning Pointe Senior Living. “It starts with residents, and that’s what makes it special. Their involvement in the first round ensures this truly represents what they enjoy most, and now we get to showcase that talent on a larger stage.”
The judging panel for the Smoky Regional Round will feature a mix of culinary professionals and local food experts, including Camille King, owner of CamilleCooks Personal Chef Service; Eric McNew, co-founder of KnoxFoodie and digital food influencer; and Joseph Blauvelt, Culinary Arts Program Coordinator at Pellissippi State Community College.
The event is open to the public and offers a unique opportunity to experience the creativity behind Morning Pointe’s dining program while supporting team members who serve residents each day. Guests are encouraged to attend, cheer on their favorite chefs, and see firsthand what makes Morning Pointe dining special.
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.
