Residents love dessert contest at senior living facility

OREGON, Ohio — Layered puddings slathered in clouds of cream. A cake drizzled with both chocolate and caramel sauces, as well as crunchy toffee bits.

Pies: rich banana cream, intricately latticed apple, and custardy lemon meringue. Then cakes: bright berry-topped cheesecake and pretty pink poke cake, as well as a sheet cake featuring both berries and mandarin oranges. Also a light, tender pistachio cake.

Chewy toasted coconut treats served in festive hollowed-out orange cups. A towering Boston cream angel food cake. Cinnamon rolls decorated with pecans whose ends had been carefully positioned to touch in a v-shape, forming hearts.

These weren’t on display in a bakery case, ready for sale.

Instead, they were entries into a dessert competition at the Sacred Heart Home in Oregon, a facility for senior citizens that’s run by the Little Sisters of the Poor. Three levels of care are offered there: independent, assisted, and nursing. So very many activities and entertainments are scheduled, encouraging residents to participate, to mingle, and to socialize.

The contest was being held as a part of national “Pride In Foodservice” celebrations. “We feature special meals, games, prizes, and fun interaction with our food service department, residents, other departments, and families,” wrote Becky Massey, foodservice director at the home, who had invited me to help judge the sweet treats.

“It gets the people to do something different,” said resident Mary Lou Passmore, and “everyone gets jolly.”

The Dreamy Dessert Recipe Contest required contestants to prepare their own recipes for judging. To accommodate those who might require assistance, residents could work with a staff member or another partner. Those who could make their desserts independently were asked to select an honorary teammate.

“We have a different theme each year,” Ms. Massey wrote, “this year’s being Wishin’ and Dreamin’ .”

Some of those wishes were made by those who’d entered the dessert competition, who dreamt of winning a prize.