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Tucson Watermark Chefs Uniting Generations for the Holidays Through Baking
December 19, 2023 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm MST
Imago Dei School 5th Grade Culinary Students Join Elder Assisted Living Residents at The Hacienda at the River to Celebrate the Season with a Holiday Pastry Baking Event The Hacienda Executive Chef David Sullivan and Pastry Chef Nick Snell will Host the Students and Lead Them and Residents Together in the Preparation, Baking and Decoration of Pastries for the Students to Take Home to Their Families
Recipe: Pâte à Choux, prepared doughs including gingerbread.
When: Next Tuesday, 12/19, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: The Hacienda at the River, 2720 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ 85718
Next Tuesday, December 19th, Imago Dei Middle School 5th graders and senior residents of The Hacienda at the River will join forces at a hands-on Holiday Pastry Baking event.
Executive Chef David Sullivan and Pastry Chef Nick Snell will have pâte à choux, prepared shells with pastry cream ready, along with prepared doughs for the kids to make and decorate a variety of colorful holiday creations. Residents of the Hacienda will be on-hand to assist the 10 students, each of whom is enrolled in Imago Dei School’s culinary arts program, to complete the tasty treats. The students will take home all the creations.
Pâte à choux is a delicate pastry dough made from butter, eggs, water and flour. It’s light texture and golden crispy exterior are perfectly paired with a variety of pastry creams or other fillings. Hacienda residents will help students with piping and final assembly.
“We’ll do some quick demos then jump right into the hands-on,” said Chef Sullivan. “We’re going to be busy the whole hour!”
Uniting Generations through Food
This event is important not only for students, who gain valuable hands-on skills, but also for the Hacienda residents. “There are so many benefits for both groups,” Chef Sullivan said. “Our members get to interact and engage with the community and with young people, while the children learn culinary arts skills through guided practice.”
Imago Dei Middle School’s Randy Peterson added that “the kids love the opportunity to show their creative side.” Each of the 10 students is currently in Imago Dei’s culinary arts program. “They love to cook and share their tasty creations,” Peterson said. “And it’s a wonderful opportunity for them to learn from those who have traveled on life’s journey.” Frank DiPietrapaul, Imago Dei’s culinary arts teacher, said that food, culture, and gardening are an integral part of our culture. “A big part of food is connection to community. This event provides a means of guiding students into having fun with baking, getting out into the community with Seniors and making a big difference in small ways.”
Watermark creates extraordinary and innovative communities where people thrive. We believe aging is about renewal rather than retirement. Watermark communities are known for highly trained and caring associates, a lifestyle built on choice, fine amenities, integrative wellness and innovative programs including the award-winning Watermark University featuring a wide variety of engaging classes for residents and area seniors. Watermark has been named in the top 25 Best Workplaces for Aging Services™ in a national program conducted by the Great Place to Work® Institute and published in Fortune. Based in Tucson AZ, Watermark is a privately held company with a reputation for over 30 years for service, innovation, integrity and financial stability, and manages more than 65 retirement communities in 21 states coast to coast. Visit watermarkcommunities.com for more information.