World of Citrus – Classic Residence by Hyatt
Fine Dining for Luxury Senior Living

Think of the zesty splash you could create if you promoted citrus dishes with four different international cuisines in new recipes each week for four consecutive weeks.

Classic Residence by Hyatt, a luxury senior living company known for the culinary expertise of its chefs, asked for the challenge in seven of its dining rooms in Florida during May. Because of its commitment to developing healthful recipes, Classic Residence by Hyatt partnered with Sunkist to sponsor a month-long promotion featuring citrus dishes with various ethnic themes.

Sunkist provided a customized binder of recipes and photos for a week each of Mediterranean, Latin American, Asian and American Comfort food. To generate excitement among the residents, each location announced the “World of Citrus Flavors” event with a poster set up at the entrance of the dining area and custom menu cards. Each resident also received a bag with fresh oranges, an orange peeler and a postcard announcing the details of the promotion. Also included was a press release highlighting the nutritional benefits of fresh citrus. The seven Florida locations participating in the promotion were Aventura, Boca Raton, Hollywood, Lantana, Naples, Plantation and Pompano Beach.

Armed with a book full of recipes, the chefs were off on their culinary adventure. “It was exciting to jump into it and learn to balance the flavors of citrus throughout so many dishes,” says Anthony Santomauro, executive chef at the Boca Raton location.

One of the biggest hits among the Boca Raton residents was the “Stir Fried Orange Beef with Chilies and Wild Mushrooms, ” Santomauro says, adding that his residents’ favorite weeks were Asian and American Comfort food. The “Chicken Wings with Orange

Glaze” was a popular favorite as was “Orange Barbecue Ribs with Fireworks Coleslaw,” developed by Executive Chef Ed Padden from Bentley Village, a Classic Residence by Hyatt in Naples.

“ “Grouper Grapefruit Ceviche” was also a very nice item. I did a bit of mentoring with my residents, and educated them on ceviche. Those who tried it thought it was outstanding,” he says.

Residents at Classic Residence by Hyatt in Plantation gave rave reviews about the promotion, says Executive Chef Jean Chery. “It’s something I look forward to doing again.”

Having worked with citrus for years, “I learned a long time ago that if you use anything acidic, it helps with the flavor. … It comes to the palate right away,” Chery concludes.

He still uses the cookbook of citrus recipes and is keeping the barbecue ribs on the menu since it was one of the most popular dish of the promotion. He also plans to keep such other favorites as “Tangelo and Rum Glazed Shrimp” and “Grilled Balsamic Grapefruit Glazed Salmon.”

The first week of the promotion, which featured the Mediterranean dishes, was a favorite at his location, says Daniel Mills, director of dining services in Pompano Beach. The promotion was new and exciting and the residents raved about the “Grilled Balsamic Grapefruit Glazed Salmon” as well as many other dishes.

Mills says he was amazed “with all the wonderful things you can do with citrus and how diversified it can be.”