Residents at Arbor Terrace Citrus Park can take trips around the globe every month without ever leaving the community, thanks to Chef Moss Balile and the Engagement team. Through this program “Delicious Destinations,” Chef Moss takes his international culinary experience and incorporates it into residents’ meals, introducing them to a new cuisine every month through the travel program.
Chef Moss has been exposed to numerous types of cuisines since childhood; he was born in Morocco and grew up in Europe. While he went to college for chemistry, he began working in restaurants and fell in love with cooking. He eventually came to the United States in 1987 and attended Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Miami.
Chef Moss began cooking professionally when he worked in the army, where he would oversee events and catering and even worked events at the White House. For the past 14 years, he has been working in the senior living industry. He came to Arbor Terrace Citrus Park three years ago.
“I fell in love with working with seniors,” he said. “I found fulfillment and purpose.”
After he arrived at the community, Chef Moss incorporated his culinary expertise into the Engagement team’s travel program to introduce Delicious Destinations. Before COVID-19 and social distancing measures, Delicious Destinations began as chef demonstrations featuring themed music, activities, souvenirs and more. Typically, one to two new foods corresponding with the cuisine are available on the menu for residents to try. Chef Moss said they’ll prepare everything from Greek to French to Moroccan to Indian fare and more.
“It’s a trip around the world,” he said.
Despite the pandemic, the program still offers regional and international cuisine for residents to enjoy, and Chef Moss continues to share his passion and experience in worldwide food with the community.
“I really enjoy cooking for the residents,” he said. “You make a difference in their lives every day.”
