Nursing Home Resident & Administrator at The Grand at Queens Put Culinary Skills to Test in Election Day "Grand Sauce-Off"

November 22, 2016; Queens, NY – Coinciding with Election Day 2016, residents of The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Queens, located in Whitestone, NY, held their own election. Voting residents had a choice between two “saucy” candidates – pasta sauces prepared by The Grand at Queens Assistant Administrator Peretz Stein and The Grand at Queens resident Madeline “Maddy” Castora. Both Peretz and Castora competed the week prior to the vote to see who could make the best pasta sauce, each with their own fliers and campaign slogans. While Peretz’s sauce had a spicier taste with bourbon base, Castora chose to use her family recipe that was sweeter with basil, parsley, garlic along with a red wine base.

The candidates prepared their sauces in 24-quart cooking pots over a period of four hours on Election Day with tasting cups of each sauce given to each resident in the 179-bed facility. Residents marked their choice of sauce on a special ballot, which were counted at the end of the day. When the final tally was completed, Castora’s homemade sauce emerged as the victor, claiming the title of Best Sauce and netting Castora the Best Chef trophy.

“The Grand Healthcare System conceived "The Grand Sauce-Off" to create one large event to bring all of our residents together this election season,” remarked Dan Muskin, Regional Administrator at The Grand at Queens. “While we as a country are often divided on our politics, one thing that we can all come together over is the joy of cooking and celebrating someone’s talent with amazing food while at the dinner table. Everyone loves a good pasta sauce and enjoys eating something that was made with precision and care. That’s the same attention to detail and devotion we have in every one of our facilities and from each and every member of our staff that creates an environment beyond that of a traditional nursing home and rehabilitation center.”

“We are all winners in this competition,” Castora said. “Both sauces were great and the competition was fun. This year residents liked what I served the best. Who knows about next year? I am sure next year Peretz will bring a new and delicious recipe that will make for another competitive vote.”

For more information about the Grand Health Care System, visit www.thegrandhealthcare.com

The Grand Healthcare System offers a full continuum of premium healthcare services across its state-of-the-art health facilities, regardless of whether an individual is there for an extended stay or for one of its premium specialty care services. Unique all-inclusive health facilities make it a preferred destination for individuals seeking high quality healthcare with modern and convenient amenities. Among the services and programs provided are: stroke rehabilitation at The Walter Strauss Stroke Center (The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Queens), amputee therapy and training program, bariatric rehabilitation, cardiac therapy, complex medical care program, hip repair and joint replacement recovery program, IV antibiotic therapy, medical nutrition therapy, medical shuttle service and transportation vans. For more information about facilities in Queens and Dutchess County call (718) 215-6000 or visit www.thegrandhealthcare.com

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Photo Captions:

• Grand Sauce Off 1: Pictured is The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Queens Assistant Administrator Peretz Stein (right) and The Grand at Queens Resident Madeline “Maddy” Castora (left) preparing to make their specialty pasta sauces for residents during “The Grand Sauce-Off” on Election Day 2016. "The Grand Sauce-Off" was held to create one large event to bring all of the residents of The Grand at Queens together during election season. Photo Credit: Courtesy The Grand Healthcare System

• Grand Sauce Off 2: Pictured is The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Queens Resident Madeline “Maddy” Castora proudly displaying her trophy for her specialty pasta sauce she prepared for residents during “The Grand Sauce-Off” on Election Day 2016. Castora chose to use her family recipe that was sweeter with basil, parsley, garlic along with a red wine base. "The Grand Sauce-Off" was held to create one large event to bring all of the residents of The Grand at Queens together during election season. Photo Credit: Courtesy The Grand Healthcare System

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