Chef Janice Bellotti-Pace retires

Chef Janice in the Senior Center kitchen

By Jon Ann Cruver

After seven years of providing outstanding meals to the participants of Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center, "Chef Janice" is retiring.

She has said that “food is my passion”. She has expressed that passion in her years with the senior center. She has made the Community Dining Program vital to the many people she has served meals to on a daily basis. She has over doubled the participation for this program.

In addition to the many fabulous meals, she has also supported events at the center. She always provided a great line up of food and treats at the center's karaoke-bingo nights, ran two days of meals for the annual Holiday Bazaar while throwing in cooking classes for the seniors.

The City of Shoreline's yearly Santa Breakfast was one more way for her to provide meals for special guests.

She has barely changed in her years
at the Senior Center

During her goodbye salute, several participants expressed their gratitude to her for not only her meals, but for her friendship and devotion to them.

"(We) have so appreciated your total dedication, the delicious meals, your interest in the people you serve, even knowing everyone's name. Each month the two of us would look over the wonderful lunch menus and pick out or favorites. Each meal always had a yummy main dish, a vegetable, salad, fruit and dessert. 

Creating a new menu, every month, year after year is a victory on its own. Throw in looking for grocery specials, staying on budget, food purchasing for the week, preparation, working with volunteers and serving. I'm tired just thinking about it!"

Chef Janice is going to be missed in so many ways. But her time with us gave us many memories, and now, it’s her turn to move on to new adventures.

We all wish her well as she heads out creating her own new memories for the future.

One of the nicest things about life is the way we must stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.” Luciano Pavarotti