Harwood Place, Wauwatosa, chef: Retirement community residents travel

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Kristine M. Kierzek Tonya Garrido’s first introduction to professional kitchens was as a waitress at a Greek restaurant. She was so enticed by the fresh food and cooking she wanted to learn more. Going a step further, she decided to attend culinary school at MATC. Even if she wasn’t sure […]

Kristine M. Kierzek

Harwood Place, Wauwatosa, chef: Retirement community residents travel

Tonya Garrido’s first introduction to professional kitchens was as a waitress at a Greek restaurant. She was so enticed by the fresh food and cooking she wanted to learn more. Going a step further, she decided to attend culinary school at MATC. Even if she wasn’t sure she’d cook professionally, she figured she could become a better cook and feed her family.

Two decades later and she’s still smitten with cooking and feeding others. 

She’s worked her way up to executive chef at Harwood Place Retirement Community, 8220 Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa, helping to build a culinary program that differs greatly from when she started as a line cook 19 years ago. Focusing on scratch cooking for residents at the retirement facility, she oversees nearly 250 meals daily. Not only does she have to address different tastes and interests, cooking for an aging population also means addressing dietary concerns and how a food may be prepared or served. Garrido embraces it all, and wants to spread the word that there are options for culinary careers outside restaurants. 

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