Signature Dining
Parkshore serves three meals a day in the Signature Restaurant, all prepared by trained chefs and made from scratch with fresh ingredients. The bistro offers delectable pastries, specialty sandwiches and fresh coffee.
Menus
Dining Team
Jack Caza
Dining Director
Jack Caza
Dining Director
A little about your job…
I buy all the food, Make all the menus, and plan parties.
How many people are on your team?
There is an assistant dining director (Patti) We have a staff of 3 Chefs (Wendy, Oliver, and Shane) a chef Manager (Pierre) and 25 waitstaff and 4 dishwashers.
What special training or education helped best prepare you for this career?
A BS degree in accounting from Humboldt State University in Eureka, California, and 30 years as an Executive Chef.
What are the meals your residents request the most?
Pot Roast #1, Salmon #2, BBQ Ribs #3, Traditional Turkey Dinner all the trimmings, #4 Casseroles (hot dish)
What is the most memorable meal you have cooked at your community?
Several 5 course Meals with a Surf &Turf Theme, several Pancake breakfast of 300 People +
What is your specialty or favorite dish to make?
Coming from the Northwest California Coast I Think Salmon, lobster, shrimp, Crab, Halibut are all ingredients that lend themselves to Fresh tasting culinary delights
What makes the dining experience at your community stand out from the competition?
A good eye for color and making our meals taste good, using high quality food. Quality in Quality out.
More About Jack…
I am from Cloquet, MN, went into the Coast Guard after high school, resided on the coast Guard Cutter Eagle for the Bi-centennial year 1976. Ended my coast guard career in Alameda CA. Went to College in Northern California, Worked as An Executive Chef for the Eureka Inn and the Scotia Inn.
Honed my Ice carving ability and banquet skills at these 2 upscale hotels I have been married to my Wife Jae for 25 years, we have a son (Jason) who is married and has one son so far. And we have a little Doggie named Peanut.
I live in Eden Prairie on the bluffs by the Lions Tap
My favorite activities when I’m not cooking is golf, working out at La fitness and riding my motorcycle, a Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD, Fishing and most outdoor sports.
What are you top “go to” meals when you are cooking at home?
My wife, Jae, is a better chef than I am, and she has a plethora of tasty meals that are trending as well as the traditional favorites
Cats or Dogs?
A 3year old Silky Terrier
Favorite Movie?
3 days of the condor
Favorite Book?
I am heavily into cookbooks, Grapes of Wrath, the Hobbit, bridges of Madison County
Favorite Sports Team(s)?
Vikings, Twins, Wild, Timberwolves, Golden Gophers, Cloquet lumberjacks
Favorite bands?
Beatles, Genesis, Fu fighters, Doors, Who, David Bowie, Duran Duran, I have a lot of favorite bands, rock and roll.
If you could go on a culinary trip anywhere in the world – which country/city would you go to and why?
Tuscany or Spain have done many Tastes of Menus from these countries and there simple but yet flavorful techniques are intriguing.
Tell us one thing about yourself that would surprise your residents?
Love the thrill of driving a fast motorcycle down old country roads.
Patricia (Patti) Freeman
Assistant Director of Dining Services
Patricia (Patti) Freeman
Assistant Director of Dining Services
A little about your job…
Hiring, training, scheduling, supporting staff, catering events, maintain payroll, Bistro specials and deposits.
What sparked your desire to work in a senior living community?
Paying my kindness forward to those in need.
Did you go through any special training or education that helps with your current role?
I have taken hospitality classes throughout the years and have been in customer service since the age of 13.
What is the best part of your workday?
Being available to our residents and all staff.
What is your favorite resident memory or story?
There are so many favorite moments to be able to pick just one. Every resident story about their lives is uniquely special. One that sticks in my memory is when one of our residents who was 100 at the time came with his family for dinner. He was giving his great great granddaughter a ride on his walker. 97 year age difference. Just to witness that moment will stay with me forever.
What makes your community stand out from your competition?
Parkshore has outstanding customer service! Every department works well together. Very kind and professional. We ALL take the time to listen to our residents.
More About Patti…
My husband and I built a home in St. Michael 21 years ago. We have four sons. We are a military family with two of our sons currently serving in the United States Navy. We also have two beautiful daughters in law, 4 grandsons and one granddaughter. My spare time is spent either spending time with my mother or grandkids. I am proud to say I earned the SilverCrest Star Award in 2018.
Favorite Movie?
Tombstone (special memories when my father was alive)
Favorite Book?
Too many to pick just one
Favorite Sports Team(s)?
Any team my boys or grandkids are participating in!
Favorite bands?
The 80’s era
Top travel destination on your list?
Italy in 2023 to visit our youngest who will be stationed there.
Do you have any pets?
Denali (dog) and currently on a waiting list for a lynx kitty.
If you could have a superpower – which one would you choose and why?
I would like to have the power to teleport. I drive a long distance from home to work and would like those hours of sitting in the car back for better use.
Tell us one thing about yourself that would surprise your residents?
I have been a mixologist for 40 years. I have been a part of opening 5 new restaurants as the lead and training bartender. I was voted best bartender in St. Louis Park about 14 years ago.