Clare Oaks garden provides oasis of delicious tastes

The focus on fresh, locally-sourced foods and the farm-to-table concept has been part of an emerging trend in restaurants, grocery stores and the culinary industry across the country.

At Clare Oaks, a premier retirement living community in Bartlett, residents are getting a taste of this freshness focus firsthand.

Algis Paulius, executive chef at Clare Oaks, has planted and cultivated a kitchen garden at the property and is incorporating his harvest into many of the menu items he and his team prepare for Clare Oaks residents. The garden includes many types of herbs, vegetables, and salads, including peppers, tomatoes, Asian eggplant, and more.

For Paulius, the garden is a way to provide the freshest possible ingredients, continue to focus on local sourcing, and to keep his menus fresh.

"We are cooking for a family of 200 people," he said. "When you are cooking for family, you want to make the meals extra special."

Paulius and the culinary team certainly have a handle on making things special at Clare Oaks. The team prepares signature Birthday Dinners every month for residents, and holiday dinners are always a highlight for residents and staff alike.

Making memorable meals for such a large audience is nothing new for Paulius, who was formerly an executive chef at the University of Chicago and has worked at restaurants, hotels and resorts across the country. Still, there is plenty of planning and creativity involved.

"It's fun because it's never the same. We're planning and preparing three meals a day, so I like to change the menu every few months," Paulius said.

"I like to be creative with spices and our own sauces and soups. Summer is such a fun time because we're grilling and slow-cooking, and because we are tending to the garden and developing new menu ideas based on what is growing."

According to Beth Welch, Clare Oaks chief executive officer, the exceptional quality of the dining is just part of what makes the atmosphere at Clare Oaks unique.

"The dining room and the dining experience are a central part of the social fabric of our community," she said. "It's far more than the convenience of having someone prepare delicious meals for you.

"Our residents enjoy the camaraderie and the socialization with their neighbors. They'll gather together in the lounge area before dinner, and there is a real energy in the room. Then, they'll have dinner together and laugh and talk over a great meal. It's community, it's comfortable and it's home."

Clare Oaks was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. Located on a 41-acre campus in Bartlett, the Continuing Care Retirement Community offers a selection of independent living apartments and cottage homes, assisted living apartments and skilled nursing at the Assisi Health Care Center.

For information, visit www.clareoaks.com or call (630) 372-1946.

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