Rendezvous by/par Chartwell Winter 2020 | Page 22

C O N T I N U I N G H E R PA S S I O N Hasija’s Kitchen Food is a powerful force. At its base, it provides simple nourishment, but it represents so much more in the grand scheme of things. Cooking a good meal can provide relief after a stress- ful day. It brings families closer together. It celebrates our cultures, achievements and milestones, and most importantly, it can make a person feel at home. The latter is true for Hasija, a resident of Chartwell Westbury Long Term Care Residence in Toronto. When she first arrived, she felt uncertain and unprepared. She wondered what life would be like in her new home. Will it be easy to make friends? Will I be comfortable? Will the food be cooked to my liking? The question of food has held great significance for Hasija throughout her life. In 1986, she and her husband opened The Old Thatched Cottage, a popular restaurant in Bloor West Village and cuisine remains her passion to this day. We learned about her history with the restaurant and felt that her passion for cooking was something she could benefit from – Mark Recto, Program & Support Services Manager, pictured cooking with Hasija Mark Recto, Programs & Support Services Manager, noticed she was feeling apprehensive about her new surroundings and began brainstorm- ing with colleagues about how to make Hasija feel most welcome. 22 CHARTWELL.COM “We learned about her history with the restaurant and felt that her passion for cooking was something she could benefit from,” says Mark. Together the team transformed a little- used room into Hasija’s Kitchen, a bright space featuring an oven, pantry, island and every tool a cook could need. Hasija is truly a chef again. She reviews grocery store flyers to plan menus, shops for her own ingredients and cooks in her kitchen on a daily basis, from baking bread to creating baklava, chicken stew and roasted squash. She also invites fellow residents and staff to enjoy her meals with her. Mark, who also loves to cook, often participates with prep but the kitchen is definitely Hasija’s domain. “She usually tells me, ‘Just sit and enjoy my cooking,’” he says. Thanks to the caring and creative team at the Westbury, Hasija’s sense of belonging and relationships with staff and fellow residents have all been invigorated by her ability to continue a lifelong passion. “This experience has provided her with a sense of joy knowing that she can experience what she was able to do before moving in to the Westbury,” Mark says. In Hasija’s own words, “I feel right at home now.”