LEXINGTON, KY — March 31, 2026 — Three standout Food Service Directors are moving on, and the competition is heating up as Morning Pointe Senior Living prepares to host Round 2: Regional Selection of the Morning Pointe Senior Living Top Chef Challenge on April 8 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. From there, top performers advance.
This year, three Food Service Directors rose to the top in Round 1 and will now compete in Lexington: Chris Stratton of Danville Assisted Living, Kevin Horner of Lexington Assisted Living, and Lauren VanHooser of Richmond Assisted Living. These leaders were selected by residents as the winners of their local competitions and will now compete for a place in the 2026 Top Chef Challenge finals.
Each competitor will prepare a dish to be evaluated by a panel of local culinary professionals and food enthusiasts.
This year’s judging panel brings a strong mix of culinary expertise and industry experience, including Kris Wilson, Gordon Food Service representative; Travis Taulbee, Kitchen Manager and Chef at Bella Cafe Hamburg, a sister restaurant of Bella Notte; and Kyla “Sissy” Collins, baker and chef who has appeared on the Food Network and created custom cookies for celebrities such as Lizzo.
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 Williams. “Whether you are a foodie, exploring senior living, or simply looking for a great local event, this is a wonderful opportunity to experience the talent behind our dining program and connect with our community.”
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.
