We were honored to have DiningRD Culinary Innovation Specialist Cameron Oestringer invited to serve as a judge for the 2026 KCARE Culinary Competition, hosted by the Kentucky Coalition for Aging Resources and Empowerment (KCARE) in partnership with Incite Strategic Partners and Gordon Food Service. The virtual competition showcased the creativity and culinary talent of long-term care dining teams across Kentucky. Read on as Cameron shares his experience judging the competition – and what stood out from behind the screen.
Who would have thought a culinary competition could be held entirely online? Certainly not me. My first thought was, How can we judge food if we can’t taste it? Taste, texture, and aroma are all such important parts of the dining experience.
As I learned more about the KCARE competition, however, I thought about how great food is about much more than flavor alone. Every dish tells a story through its appearance, the thought behind its creation, and the way it is presented. While we may not be able to sample each bite, we can still evaluate the creativity, care, and culinary skill that went into every plate.
Plating
There is an old adage that says, we eat with our eyes first, and that was certainly true for the KCARE competition. Every advertisement, cookbook, and cooking show has trained us to recognize what looks delicious before we ever take a bite.
As judges, we looked for vibrant colors, thoughtful composition, and food that appeared fresh, appealing, and appropriately portioned. Does the dish invite you to take that first bite? Across each of the four courses, the visual elements helped us imagine the overall dining experience.
Photos courtesy of KCARE from the 2026 KCARE Culinary Competition.
Creativity
Visual appeal is only part of the story. We also evaluated the creativity behind each dish. This broad category includes everything from unique flavor pairings and modern culinary techniques to innovative presentations of familiar favorites.
One thing I was especially excited to see were dishes that were comforting and recognizable for older adults while offering a fresh twist. Creating meals that are both familiar and exciting requires a thoughtful balance of tradition and innovation, and competitors embraced that challenge.
Photos courtesy of KCARE from the 2026 KCARE Culinary Competition.
Presentation
Each team presented their dishes virtually. Competitors had the opportunity to bring their food to life by explaining the inspiration behind their menu, highlighting the techniques they used, and sharing how their dishes meet the needs of the people they serve.
We saw photos of the finished dishes and the teams who created them. Beyond the food itself, the presentations captured the enthusiasm, collaboration, and pride that went into preparing each meal. Sometimes the passion behind a dish is just as memorable as the dish itself.
Photos courtesy of KCARE from the 2026 KCARE Culinary Competition.
Although judging a culinary competition through a screen may seem unconventional, it was an honor to see the talent, creativity, and dedication each team brought to the table. We may not have experienced the aroma or tasted each dish firsthand, but the competition made one thing very clear: exceptional senior living dining is about more than what’s on the plate. It’s about creativity, care, connection, and creating an experience residents can truly enjoy.