The Town Square in The Village of Humber Heights is filled with the mingling scents of cherished recipes, as residents from each of the Village’s neighbourhoods—both in long-term care and retirement—share glimpses of their families’ culinary history.
This is part of the Schlegel Villages Pursuit of Passions event—an extension of the Wisdom of the Elder Signature Program—which this year features recipes from chosen residents across all Villages and the stories and memories they inspire. “Timeless Recipes, Endless Stories” will eventually compile all these recipes into a special cookbook, but today is all about the residents of Humber Heights.
Three judges sit in front of the gazebo as each resident, supported by a team member or loved one, presents their dish, wooing the judges with stories of its significance. There are cookies, a cake, and an apple pie (which, according to the chef, must be served with vanilla ice cream). There’s a luscious pasta sauce and two succulent-smelling lasagnas begging to be sampled. A hint of cinnamon rises from a bowl of rice pudding, challenging the fragrant Italian dishes for attention, while a vibrant vegetarian medley hints at Middle Eastern—or possibly South Asian—influence. The gathered guests are visibly excited as each dish is described. Thankfully, lunch isn’t far away.
Yes, the judges are assessing presentation and quality, but this isn’t really about competition—it’s about the stories and the passion each person brings for the food that has nourished family and friends for generations.
Liliana Pasquali arrived at the Village with her brother to bring their mother’s famous lasagna to life. They came early in the morning, and as the country kitchen in Anna Maria’s Lambton neighbourhood filled with the aroma of sautéed onions, carrots, and celery, memories began to emerge. Anna Maria’s lasagna was a holiday staple, feeding extended family at Christmas and Easter for years.
“It was amazing,” Liliana says. “It was nice having our mom there, watching us make the lasagna, which we used to help her make back then. It felt great. It brought back all these memories of being with Mom in the kitchen.”
In those days, the lasagna was the event—preparations began a day or two in advance as homemade pasta was lovingly rolled out by hand.
The other perfect-looking lasagna on the table catches my eye, and once the judging is over, Maria Greco insists I try a piece. I’ve learned that when an older Italian woman insists you eat, there’s only one answer.
The first bite is like velvet. The veal has been cooked in white wine, the basil in the salsa is fresh, and the pasta is handmade. It’s one of the finest lasagnas I’ve ever tasted.
Maria’s smile widens when I say so. She’s proud, as is everyone here today—and eager to share.
I also try Anneliese Gross’s Rice Brei, still warm from when she took it off the stove an hour earlier. She had worked alongside volunteer Gabi Degen to recreate the rice pudding that brings back memories of coming home on cold, damp days to her grandmother’s comforting kitchen.
There is beauty in each dish and in every memory. The recipes truly are timeless, and the stories—endless.
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