Grace Ridge Retirement Community Hires Trudi Nowlin as Director of Dining Services
July 9, 2019
MORGANTOWN, NC–Trudi Nowlin has been hired as director of dining services at Grace Ridge, a Morganton, NC-based retirement community. Her first day on the job was July 1, 2019.
She is making the move from a hospital background to senior living. That also means opportunities to build long-term relationships and adding a little pizzazz to the meals. As director of dining services, Nowlin plays a significant role in both day-to-day operations and meal preparation, including cooking. Since 1995, she has held the credentials of Certified Dietary Manager and Certified Food Protection Professional through the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals. The credentials indicate expertise in assuring food safety, managing food-service operations, understanding important principles of nutrition, creating and implementing menus, and preparing food.
Senior living in recent years has moved toward fine dining with a focus on exquisite food and exemplary service.
“It is a really fascinating age group, and that’s where my passion lies,” said Nowlin.
Nowlin hails from England; after attending high school there, she earned her culinary degree. After moving with husband Dave to the United States, she worked in long-term care for 17 years and has applied her culinary management skills for Wuesthoff Medical Center in Melbourne, FL, for the past 16 years. Over the past six years, she also has managed culinary services for a 90-residence assisted living community affiliated with the hospital.
When Nowlin began looking at Grace Ridge, she and her husband Dave were considering moving out of Florida — after 35 years there — but she wanted to stay with Morrison Healthcare. Coming to Grace Ridge gave Nowlin a chance to do just that, and she and Dave loved the Morganton area.
“We talked to some local people, toured the area, and had a look at Grace Ridge,” Trudi said. “I just fell in love with the community, the way it is, the mountain views. The people were so nice and friendly when we were there.”
Nowlin enjoys cooking (English dishes like shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash), creating crafts and walking each day.
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Grace Ridge is a Life Plan Community spanning 52 acres and owned and operated by Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge.