WTWH Healthcare Announces the DISHED Senior Living Dining Innovation Awards Class of 2026

CHICAGO, June 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- WTWH Healthcare, a WTWH Media, LLC company, is pleased to introduce the DISHED Senior Living Dining Innovation Awards Class of 2026.

The DISHED Senior Living Dining Innovation Awards program recognizes individuals who are visionaries within their organizations and the senior living sector at-large. They spotlight culinary experts whose creativity and passion are transforming senior living dining - from menu creation and innovating the resident dining experience, to leveraging new technologies, implementing new operational models, and more.

"The innovators we're recognizing demonstrate what senior living can be at its best," said Tim Mullaney, VP and Editorial Director of WTWH Healthcare. "They are creating dining experiences that nourish both body and soul while also driving meaningful business outcomes, including increased occupancy and improved public perception of the industry."

This year's DISHED Senior Living Dining Innovation Awards honorees are as follows:

Culinary Canvas: Recognizing leaders driving excellence in how dining programs are showcased across marketing channels, including imagery, video, social media, and other dining-related media content

Adrian Wiggin - Director of Food Service, The Bristal Assisted Living at York AvenueAdriana Luna - Culinary Services Director, Sunny Rose Senior LivingPaul Senken - Corporate Director of Culinary Services, The Bristal Assisted LivingZachary Willy - Area Dining Services Director, Brookdale

Elevating the Experience: Showcasing innovators raising the bar on programming and service with the goal of boosting the senior living dining experience

Aaron Huelsing - Senior Executive Chef, Merrill GardensAdam Hrebiniak - Vice President of Culinary Operations, Gallaher Signature LivingAnthony Polito - Vice President of Hospitality, Harbor Retirement AssociatesChris Spezial - Director of Culinary Services, Atria Senior LivingDeonna Barnett - Dining Services Director, BrookdaleDrew Conant - Executive Chef, Jenner's Pond, a Simpson CommunityIsmael Zavalza - Culinary Services Director, Villas at San BernardinoKrista Zvoch, RDN - Director of Nutrition, StoryPoint GroupLuis Ruiz - Dining Director, Juniper Village at LebanonNina Quirk - Culinary Services Director, The Commons in Lincoln, a Benchmark Senior Living CCRCRichart Hartman - Executive Chef, The Palace Suites

Operational Optimizer: Highlighting operational trailblazers implementing new approaches and models to gain efficiencies, improve the bottom line, build stronger workforces and elevate overall operations, while maintaining and enhancing resident satisfaction

Chad Bonsell - Culinary Services Director, The Lighthouse at ChicoGetty Lustere - Culinary Services Director, Leisure Vale Assisted LivingMika Stevenson - Vice President of Culinary, Health Dimensions GroupMorocco Terrell - Dining Services Director, Brookdale

Palate Pleaser: Honoring chefs and other food & beverage professionals for their innovations in menu creation, use of ingredients, and culinary techniques

Anthony Napolitano - Executive Chef, Edgehill, a Benchmark Senior Living CCRCBrian Menzel - Executive Chef, Friendship VillageHuseyin Isguzar - Chief Culinary Officer, St. Mark VillageLee Sesco - Senior Director of Hospitality, HarborChase of SarasotaMarisol Huizar - Culinary Services Director, Wildomar Senior Assisted LivingSafije Sadik - Dining Services Coordinator, BrookdaleVerna "Suzie" Furguson - Culinary Director, Laurelwood at The Pinehills

Partner in Innovation: Recognizing individuals serving senior living dining programs in a vendor capacity, through technology, equipment, ingredients, and more, with an emphasis on how their overall efforts have supported their clients' ability to innovate

Matt Fonte - President & Founder, ColdSnap

For more information about the program and to view the complete DISHED Senior Living Dining Innovation Awards Class of 2026, visit https://dishedawards.seniorhousingnews.com/.

Contact:Jessica Longly[email protected]

SOURCE WTWH Media