Basketball star’s former chef takes position at senior living center

WHITTIER, Calif. — When Debbie Infield conducts luncheons for people who are interested in becoming residents of Oakmont of Whittier, she takes them to the Raddison hotel or the Friendly Hills Country Club.

“It gives them a taste of the quality of the food they’ll get at Oakmont,” said Infield, executive director of Oakmont, Whittier’s new senior living complex.

Residents of Oakmont, where the $2,295 to $5,295 a month for rent includes three meals a day and unlimited snacks, will dine of food prepared under the direction of Executive Chef Jason Hosoi, who was hired Tuesday, formerly the personal chef of LA Laker Kobe Bryant.

“Oakmont is unique in the ambiance and the amenities,” said Infield.

Construction on the two-story complex at Whittier and College Avenue, site of a former Buick Pontiac GMC dealership, is scheduled to wrap up next month, with a job fair to hire about 60 full-time employees in March and residents arriving in April. Oakmont already has reservations on about 60 percent of the living units, Infield said.

About 80 people will live at Oakmont, 57 in its assisted living apartments and 23 in the “traditions memory care” units.

The floor plans come with names like Companion Pine, a 534-square-foot, shared suite that rents for $2,295; Alders, a $3,195 a month 400-455-square-foot studio; Pine, an open one bedroom; Palm, a one bedroom, $4,595; and Redwood a one-bedroom suit, 800 square feet, $5,295.

Included with the rent are utilities (except phone), insurance, maintenance, housekeeping, security, lawn and garden care, transportation, entertainment and cultural events, and fitness center membership.