Tips from Trestle: The Senior Living Food and Hospitality Podcast

In this episode of  Tips from Trestle , Aaron engages in a conversation with Jennifer Zydunczyk, Division Director of Dining Services at Medford Leas, focusing on the modernization of senior dining spaces. Jennifer shares her insights from her session at the Senior Dining Association SYNERGY Conference, emphasizing the importance of creating modern, larger dining spaces that cater to diverse dieta...

This week’s episode of Tips from Trestle has Aaron interviewing Cherissa Kell, founder and CEO of NeoTEIN Nutrition. They discuss the development of NeoTEIN, an innovative collagen protein and electrolyte supplement designed to address the nutritional needs of seniors. The conversation covers the importance of hydration, protein intake, and collagen for older adults, emphasizing the need for acces...

On this episode of Trestle Tactics, Aaron introduces the concept of "Lean Thinking" and how it can have a significant impact on your foodservice operations. This is the first of a multi-part series featuring lean thinking & operational excellence. Trestle Tactics is sponsored by Gordon Food Service. #LeanKitchen #OperationalExcellence #KitchenEfficiency #CulinaryProductivity #PeakPer...

This week’s episode of Tips from Trestle finds Aaron talking with Dana Fillmore of Gordon Food Service. They delve into the intricacies of operational excellence and lean management within non-commercial food & dining. Dana shares the journey the GFS team took in looking at ways to better support their customers and their operations, covering current trends and challenges, particularly labor a...

Join Aaron on a silo-busting discussion on how your culinary and clinical teams can work together to create better outcomes for your residents in every part of their health & well-being! Trestle Tactics is sponsored by Gordon Food Service. #AssistedLiving #SeniorLiving #CulinaryCare #ClinicalCollaboration #ResidentWellbeing #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork #CollaborativeRounds #CelebrateSuccesses #E...

In this episode of Tips from Trestle, Aaron spotlights Jonathan Pinsker, Regional Culinary Director at Acts Life Retirement Communities, live from the Senior Dining Synergy Expo in Orlando. They explore the value of creating inclusive and engaging dining experiences, offering cultural education for both staff and residents, and offers practical tips for success. They use examples from Jonathan’s S...

On the latest episode of Tips from Trestle," Aaron chats with Jason Smith, VP of Amenities at Shell Point Retirement Community in Florida. Jason shares his experience and discusses the unique challenges and innovations in bridging the divide between senior living & hospitality. He highlights Shell Point's transition from pen-and-paper operations to a sophisticated loyalty program usin...

In this episode of "Tips from Trestle," host Joanna LaFleur, a passionate advocate for dementia care, discusses the critical role of mealtime in memory care neighborhoods. Joanna shares her extensive experience in elder care, emphasizing the importance of personalized dining experiences to enhance residents' well-being. She offers practical strategies for creating engaging and enjoya...

In this episode of Trestle Tactics, Aaron discusses how to maximize the use of point of sale systems in senior living communities. Key strategies include enhancing the dining experience, streamlining operations, leveraging analytics for informed decisions, and personalizing meal plans based on resident preferences. He uses real world examples to illustrate the benefits of these strategies, ultimat...

In this episode of Trestle Tactics, host Aaron Fish converses with Andrew Moret and Amy Robinson, both National Directors of Dining Services, about the significance of localized conference-level training. They discuss the upcoming California Assisted Living Association's Dining and Hospitality Track on June 3rd, emphasizing the value of peer-to-peer networking and the opportunity for culinary...

In this episode of TFT, Aaron chats with Harris Ader, founder and CEO of the Senior Dining Association, live from the SDA Synergy Conference. They discuss the unique aspects of the conference, including peer group collaborations, innovative expo highlights, and the importance of sustainability in senior dining. The conversation also touches on the diverse range of attendees, from executives to sou...

In this episode of Trestle Tactics, Aaron goes back to his commercial hospitality days and shares three key strategies that senior living operators can use to make their menu design more effective. These tactics will not only enhance the dining experience, but also drive guest sales and move your operation towards better profitability and more effective cost & inventory controls. Trestle Tacti...

In this episode of Tips from Trestle, Aaron sits down with Jim Dukart from eMenuChoice at the SDA Synergy Conference. They talk about the transformative role of point of sale (POS) technology in enhancing dining experiences in senior living communities. Jim highlights the importance of software that offers ease of use, control, and customization to meet the dynamic needs of senior residents and st...

Aaron continues his discussions on cultivating a learning culture by offering ideas and insights on how to keep your team engaged with industry insights. He explores innovative and fun ways to keep the team learning and growing while also impacting your operations. Trestle Tactics is sponsored by Gordon Food Service #TT13 #SeniorDining #IndustryInsights #SeniorLiving #FoodService #HospitalityManag...

In this enlightening episode of Tips from Trestle, Aaron chats with Greg Gorgone, co-founder of Pineapple Academy . Greg shares his journey from pot washer to tech-savvy educator in the food service industry, emphasizing the role of technology in revolutionizing training and operations. The discussion explores how Pineapple Academy leverages digital content and technology to enhance culinary educa...

After his conversation on TFT 315, Aaron explores how organizations can foster a culture of continuous learning in their dining department to enhance innovation, employee satisfaction, and competitive advantage in today's dynamic business environment. Trestle Tactics is sponsored by Gordon Food Service . #TT12 #SeniorLiving #SeniorDining #ContinuousLearning #LifelongLearning #EmployeeDevelopme...

On this episode of Tips from Trestle, Aaron sits down with Dr. Milton McGowan, who shares his journey from a dining director to a senior living leader, emphasizing the significance of workforce development and training. Recorded live at the Senior Dining Association SYNERGY Conference, Milton discusses the importance of nurturing leadership within senior living communities. He highlights the value...

Aaron deep dives on 2 big strategies for maximizing resident feedback to enhance dining & business operations, be innovative, and improve customer satisfaction. Trestle Tactics is sponsored by Gordon Food Service #CustomerFeedback #SeniorLiving #SeniorDining #CustomerInsights #FeedbackStrategies #CustomerEngagement #CustomerSatisfaction #FeedbackLoop #CustomerExperience #VoiceOfCustomer #Busin...

In this episode of Tips from Trestle, we feature the first of our SDA Synergy episodes. Becky Smith, Partnership Development Manager at Clark Pro, joins the show and discusses the transformation from Clark Food Service Equipment to Clark Pro. The episode covers the strategic rebranding to better serve diverse food service operators with enhanced e-commerce platforms and specialized services. Becky...

On this episode of Trestle Tactics, Aaron guides us to discover essential strategies for health inspection readiness, ensuring your establishment not only passes but excels in maintaining high standards of health and safety. Trestle Tactics is proudly sponsored by Gordon Food Service #TT10 #SeniorLiving #HealthInspection #InspectionReadiness #FoodSafety #QualityAssurance #SanitationSolutions #Heal...

In this insightful episode, Aaron discusses the transformation of foodservice in senior living with marketing expert Jim Zimmerman. Jim highlights the shift in senior living dining expectations, driven by baby boomers' diverse culinary experiences. They deep dive into the importance of branding in creating distinctive and appealing dining options that resonate with residents and their families...

In this episode of Tips from Trestle, host Aaron Fish explores the Florida Senior Living Association's Leadership Academy with Gail Matillo and Katherine Upton. The program, designed for senior living professionals, focuses on nurturing leadership skills and fostering a community of passionate caregivers. Through nominations and selective participation, the academy aims to reduce industry turn...

In this enlightening episode of Tips from Trestle, Dr. Krystal Cullar, a holistic brain health expert, discusses the critical role of nutrition in senior living for maintaining cognitive function. She emphasizes the importance of integrating brain health and wellness programs into senior communities, highlighting lifestyle factors like nutrition and hydration as key components. Dr. Kohler advocate...

Aaron gives the mic to Tom Sanders of Senior Living Photography to share his tactics on how you can capture the amazing culinary creations in your community using the phone in your pocket. Trestle Tactics is sponsored by Gordon Food Service #TT9 #FoodPhotography #SeniorLiving #CulinaryArt #ChefShowcase #DiningExperience #AuthenticImagery #BrandingAlignment #VisualAppeal #ResidentSatisfaction #Comm...

In this sparkling episode of "Tips from Trestle," we polish our understanding of sustainable sanitation with Dan Lawson, the visionary co-founder of Viking Pure Solutions. Dan unveils his journey, which is deeply rooted in senior living from his childhood, through his ventures in the medical device industry, and back to his core passion—cultivating a revolution in cleaning and infection...