Upbeat, collaborative atmosphere makes cooking at Country Terrace a joy, says team member

‘I haven’t had that at any other job,’ says Georgina Pantazopoulos

When Georgina Pantazopoulos started her position in the Country Terrace kitchen three years ago, she found the atmosphere to be both positive and collaborative, and this is just as true now as it was then, she says.

“Everyone here is so willing to help, so upbeat, all of the managers jump in to help when we need somebody or when we are short people, everybody really has a positive attitude and works together to make sure everything is running properly – I haven’t had that at any other job,” Georgina tells The OMNIway.

Georgina works as both a cook and a dietary aide at the Komoka, Ont. long-term care home. There are plus sides to working two positions, she says.

When working as a cook, Georgina says she enjoys creating delicious meals that make residents happy. When working as a dietary aide, she gets to see first-hand the smiles on their faces when residents taste the meals the nutritional care team makes, she adds.

Georgina also credits nutritional care manager Alex Achillini and her colleagues in the dietary department for their strong support.

“Alex is incredible, I came here and got started and he got me set up with the cook’s training, so I’ve been doing that and there are lots of opportunities here, and they are always willing to help me go that extra mile and try new things,” she says.

Asked about her favourite meal to prepare for residents, Georgina doesn’t skip a beat with her response.

“We make a beef tenderloin here once in a while and it’s always incredible,” she says. “The residents love it. It is usually served with root vegetables, and Alex makes his special cheese bread to go with it.”

While Country Terrace is the first and only job Georgina has worked in long-term care, she says nothing has surprised her about her job – it has been everything she thought it would be.

“Everyone is so upbeat and caring, and that’s really nice – and that really makes a difference,” she says.

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PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above, beef tenderloin with root vegetables is the meal Country Terrace cook Georgina Pantazopoulos says she enjoys preparing most for residents.