About Our Culinary Team . . .

Lindsay Walkowiak is the Culinary Director of Brompton Heights, Inc. Lindsay has seven years of experience in the management of healthcare culinary departments. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Administration & Management from Buffalo State College and an Associate's degree in Hospitality Management from Erie Community College. She has extensive experience in Department of Health regulations and compliance, food safety, sanitation audits, and staff supervision, training and development. She is Serve Safe and TIPS certified and trained in fire safety. Lindsay is also certified in New Survey Guidelines for nutrition and sanitation.

Executive Chef Kevin McCarthy has 20 years of banquet and catering experience. He held the position of Executive Chef at both D'Youville and Canisius Colleges. He also served as the Head Chef of Shores Waterfront Restaurant and Sous Chef at Broderick Park Inn, Rookies Restaurant, Pendleton House Banquet Facility, and Rich's Atrium all for Rich Products Corporation.

Michelle MacLeod is the newest addition to the Brompton Heights Culinary Team! She has many years of experience in the Hospitality and Food Service Industry. Michelle was employed at Transit Valley Country Club for 5 ½ years  where she worked as the Halfway House Manager and lunch chef. Michelle also spent 5 years at Daffodil’s Restaurant as a lunch and pastry chef. Michelle attended college at Buffalo State University. We welcome her to our facility and anticipate many delicious dishes!

Chef Tom Porto attended Niagara County Community College and Erie Community College for Culinary Arts. Tom has completed the Serv Safe program for safe food handling and is a certified Food Manager. Tom worked at the Stillwater in Buffalo NY as the executive chef where he created the menu which consisted of contemporary American cuisine. Tom has also worked at the Buffalo Launch Club and Daffodil’s restaurant. Tom prepares food from scratch and likes to display originality in his dishes. Tom has already received the employee of the month award at Brompton Heights.

A Note from our Culinary Director:

Are you always on the run? Do you never seem to have enough time in your day? Lack of time is a major reason why many people give up eating right, but you don't have to. In fact, healthy eating is more important than ever when you're trying to keep up with a hectic schedule.

A good diet helps your body withstand stress better. But as you're hustling through your day, you're probably not thinking about making your next meal a healthy one. The following tips can help you eat well when you're dinning in or out.

In Restaurants

Tempting menus, large portions, and festive atmospheres make it easy to skip healthy eating. Splurging once in awhile is okay, but you'll begin to pack on pounds if you make it a habit. Be smart when you eat out.

Choose restaurants wisely. Restaurants that offer a variety of foods are a good choice. Try going Asian or vegetarian. They will give you a lot of tasty options. Visit less often the all-you-can-eat, buffet-only, and dessert-cart places.

Watch out for diet traps:

• Pass on the bread and butter
• Drink water, tea or diet soda
• As an appetizer, order soup made with broth rather than cream
• Choose salsas for flavoring instead of the gravies and rich sauces
• Get salad dressing on the side
• Opt for steamed, poached, broiled, baked, grilled, roasted, stir-fried, or lightly sauteed foods

In Airports

Airports can be stressful places. But don't scrap your diet because of it. Eat because you're hungry, not because you're stressed, bored, or trying to kill time. If you're anxious or have time to spare, take a walk. Airports usually have plenty of room for a brisk jaunt. Bring your own food if you're leaving or arriving very early or late when eateries are likely to be closed or if you don't want to eat fast food. A whole-wheat bagel or crackers, a piece of fruit, granola bar, juice box, or cut-up cheese and vegetables can save you from feeling starved and from unwanted calories.

In Fast Food Places

If you find your only option is fast food, check out different menus – some fast food places have healthier choices than others. Don't be afraid to ask the manager for the restaurant's nutritional information sheet – most fast food places have them posted and pamphlets available upon request. Remember, an informed customer is a healthier customer.

• Watch portion sizes – no need to supersize
• Seek out deli-style fast food, they make it the way you want it – healthy
• Trade in the fries for healthier options – side salad, fruit cup or veggies
• Chicken isn't always the healthiest choice – get grilled vs. fried and breaded
• Hold the mayo
• Drink water or diet soda vs. regular soda
• Be careful with salads – the dressing, bacon bits and shells they come in could mean lots of extra calories
• Skip the milk shakes
• Order non-fat milk with your coffee and skip syrups and the whip cream

In Your Office or Car

If you only have 15 minutes for lunch between meetings, don't ransack the snack machine. Be ready for a quick meal or snack by stocking your office or car with a few staples:

• Water
• Keep soup or oatmeal handy if you have a microwave at the office
• Raisins, apricots, or other dried fruits
• Crackers or pretzels
• Nuts and trail mix
• Granola bars

Keep some take-out menus from nearby restaurants in your office for when you have to work late or have a little more time for lunch. The best option is packing a nutritious lunch in the morning and bringing it with you to work.

Source: AARP.com