No matter where we are, what we’re going through, or how much our worlds are changing, certain love languages are universally comforting: soothing nature, soul-stirring music, and of course, good food. Food is far more than fuel – when it’s delicious, it brings pleasure; when it’s shared, connection. Needless to say, when it comes to choosing senior living, a top priority is great food. But it takes more than culinary skill, top-quality ingredients, and delectable dishes for even the most exceptional food to become true nourishment. Balfour Louisville has that recipe and more,
to perfection.
Nestled between the base of the Rocky Mountains and scenic Lake Hecla, Balfour Louisville offers a uniquely designed campus-style community in one of Colorado’s most beloved towns. The impressive 18-acre campus features a blend of beautiful architecture, thoughtfully curated amenities and award-winning care, harmoniously merging to offer a lifestyle rooted in comfort, connection and purposeful living. All this, and Balfour is also renowned for extraordinary food. Vibrant, seasonally-inspired, made-from-scratch meals are the unwavering standard across Balfour Louisville’s five distinct restaurant-style dining venues. With dishes designed to delight every palate, menus boast more than meals – they are diverse, culinary experiences.
The incredible, Michelin-inspired fare is appreciated by residents and their guests, without question. But the team at Balfour consider it top priority to elevate the experience further, fostering warmth, connection, and a true sense of home. At Balfour, service extends far beyond hospitality. Relationships are cultivated with authenticity, responsiveness and genuine caring. This is visible throughout the campus, but there’s no better role model for leading by example than Restaurant Manager Serena Vigil.
“When I first started here, I knew it was a good fit,” says Vigil, who just celebrated her 18th anniversary with Balfour. “I’m a social butterfly, and I really like to help people. I especially like working with older people.”
From her start as a server, Serena worked her way at Balfour through lead server, supervisory, and management positions to running front-of-house for all campus dining. Between a hefty rotation of meetings and nimbly addressing any issues that pop up on an ongoing basis, Vigil is a master multitasker–but she rarely considers the work as “tasks”. She’s all too happy to help. “I’ve been told before that my love language is acts of service,” Vigil says.
For Vigil, it’s the little touches that transform a day, for everyone. “I’m all about trying to celebrate people,” she says. “Residents, team members, family. Maybe one day that means grabbing the entire staff to sing happy birthday to a resident, or buying a cute little bouquet of flowers for a team member who has reached a special milestone.”
Vigil does more than celebrate people – she sees, honors, and respects who and where they are as individuals. You can see it in the easygoing, warm rapport she shares with residents; in the way she and “Nancy” always tell each other ‘I love you’ when they’re walking down the hall, and the running inside joke with “Bob”. It’s in the close way she works with executive chefs, sharing feedback gained from sitting in on every single food committee to learn everything she can about residents’ wants and needs. It’s the way she notices a new resident hesitating at the entry and brings them in, gently and comfortably opening the door for friendships; how she makes sure soup is sent to someone who is feeling unwell.
“This is not just a job, it’s an important passion for her,” says Andria Lyles, Balfour Louisville Senior Director of Sales. “Serena really cares. She’s such an incredible advocate for the residents and her staff, and she’s a real can-do person–whatever challenge comes up, she’s going to take care of it. With Serena, it’s not just “hi”, “welcome”, etc. She knows the residents, their family members, their pets, their birthdays.”
Vigil’s genuine, reflective style and leadership represents the ethos of all of Balfour. The example she fosters is reflected in the way everyone engages, such as how servers really get to know residents, spending extra time to make sure they’re ok, Lyle shares. “One evening a gentleman was having vision issues,” Lyles recounts. “So one of our servers sat down and read the entire menu to him. Doing what it takes to respect people’s autonomy, that really impacts people. What we have here is special.”
Taste for Yourself
Want to get a sample of what Balfour has to offer, literally? Mark your calendars for Taste of Balfour, an elevated culinary and community experience to be held at the Balfour Lousville senior living campus on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Enjoy a complimentary chef-curated tasting menu thoughtfully developed to the theme of Aging Across the Decades.
At Taste of Balfour, small bites featuring seasonal, locally-sourced Colorado ingredients are inspired by the flavors and traditions that connect generations. Make your way through four culinary stations, each representing different decades, and sample everything from creatively reimagined nostalgic favorites to decadent desserts. Along the way, feel for yourself what makes this thoughtful, artfully designed community feel like home. All are welcome: RSVP at 303.867.6385 or lsvsales@kiscosl.com.
Balfour Louisville, 1855 Plaza Drive, Louisville; 303.867.6385; kiscoseniorliving.com/balfour/louisville
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