When The Heritage of Green Hills in Cumru Township, Berks County, was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s Best Senior Living Communities, it also earned top honors for its food and dining specifically.
So, what does national-award-winning dining look like? At The Heritage of Green Hills, it looks a lot like roast beef. Or roast turkey with homemade stuffing. Or spaghetti and meatballs. All made from scratch.
“There are communities that go above and beyond trying to get that award,” said Food and Beverage Director Dan Hildebrandt. “We didn’t do anything different than we normally do. We just do our job and we do it well. It’s who we are.”
Unlike many awards, the U.S. News Best Senior Living ratings aren’t based on nominations or applications. Instead, they’re driven entirely by the voices of residents and their family members.
“The recognition didn’t come from introducing trendy dishes or making temporary changes, hoping to impress judges,” Hildebrandt said. “It came from doing the same thing, day after day: serving fresh meals, listening to residents, and creating a warm and friendly dining experience that feels like home. Getting that award is awesome. But we didn’t do anything different. We do what we do every single day of the week.”
That philosophy has made dining one of the defining experiences at The Heritage of Green Hills.
Comfort food, crafted exceptionally well
While many people imagine award-winning dining as elaborate gourmet cuisine, Hildebrandt said today’s residents are often looking for something much more personal.
“The residents here want Berks County comfort food,” he said. “They want the pork and sauerkraut and the turkey and stuffing. They want their favorite comfort food made well.”
A well-seasoned team bringing decades of experience to every meal helps The Heritage stand apart. Executive Chef Brad Wielacher is French-trained, and his kitchen includes several chefs who worked at Mimmo’s in Reading and the Berkshire Country Club.
Almost everything at The Heritage of Green Hills is prepared from scratch using fresh, high-quality ingredients, including produce from Lancaster County. (Courtesy of The Heritage of Green Hills)
Almost everything is prepared from scratch using fresh, high-quality ingredients, including produce from Lancaster County and fresh seafood delivered several times each week.
Familiar favorites all receive extraordinary attention. For instance, whole turkeys are roasted in-house before being carved for dinner.’
Even the seemingly humblest entrees have become crowd-pleasers.
“We have 311 residents, and somehow whenever we offer spaghetti and meatballs, all 320 of them show up for dinner,” Hildebrandt joked.
Residents help shape the menu
One reason the dining program continues to earn such high praise is that residents themselves help guide it.
Residents of The Heritage of Green Hills suggest favorite dishes for the culinary staff to prepare. (Courtesy of The Heritage of Green Hills)
Regular food committee meetings give residents opportunities to share ideas, suggest favorite dishes, and provide honest feedback.
“If they don’t like something, they’ll tell us,” Hildebrandt said. “We’ll make the adjustment. It’s all about giving them what they want.”
Hospitality you won’t find in a restaurant
Dining at The Heritage is about much more than the food on the plate.
Chefs regularly leave the kitchen to greet residents, answer questions, and build relationships. Hildebrandt even hosts monthly behind-the-scenes kitchen tours, giving residents an inside look at how hundreds of meals are prepared to order each day.
“Think about it,” he said. “In your favorite restaurant, how often does somebody come out of the kitchen and say hello? Hardly ever. Here, it’s a little different. We are part of their family, we are part of the culture, we know them, and we’re cooking just for them.”
That sense of connection extends throughout the dining room, where friendly servers create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Celebrating life together
Exceptional dining also means celebrating together.
Throughout the year, The Heritage hosts themed culinary events including clam bakes, an annual pig roast, and holiday celebrations (for just about every holiday!). One recent favorite was the community’s America 250 picnic, complete with barbecue favorites, live music, a Mr. Softee ice cream truck, and patriotic costumes.
“It’s a lot of work,” Hildebrandt said. “But to see the smiles on their faces says it all. We know we did a good job making the day special for them.”
The same quality in the Care Center
The Heritage’s commitment to exceptional dining extends throughout the entire community, including the Personal Care and Memory Care neighborhoods in the Care Center.
When planning the dining program, Hildebrandt and Heritage of Green Hills Executive Director Doug Walther were determined to avoid the institutional feel often associated with higher levels of care. Instead, Care Center residents enjoy the same thoughtfully prepared meals and familiar recipes served in independent living.
“When you go to the Care Center, usually you’re a resident of independent living first,” Hildebrandt explained. “You want to have the same food you enjoyed in The Tavern. It’s the same menu — though we make occasional small changes to accommodate changing abilities, like serving boneless chicken thighs instead of bone-in.”
By serving the same favorites, the culinary team provides not only consistency across the campus, but also a reassuring sense of familiarity during times of transition.
More than an award
Awards are gratifying, but for Hildebrandt they’re simply confirmation of something residents already know.
Outstanding dining isn’t created by chasing accolades. It’s built through fresh ingredients, scratch cooking, consistency, listening to residents, and treating every meal as an opportunity for joy and bringing people together. There’s no need to reinvent comfort food in order to create an exceptional dining experience. Simply honor it and serve it with love and care.
To learn more about the vibrant Heritage of Green Hills lifestyle, and their award-winning dining program, visit heritageofgreenhills.com or call 484-269-5100 and schedule a tour.
About The Heritage of Green Hills: The Heritage is a vibrant, full-service retirement community set on a beautiful 78-acre campus. Independent living residents enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that they have access to additional levels of care, should they be needed, in the community’s state-of-the-art Care Center. The Care Center features 70 spacious personal and memory care one-bedroom and studio suites. To learn more, visit https://heritageofgreenhills.com.