Sunrise Senior Living has long been recognized for its commitment to exceptional care and enriching the lives of seniors. Now, one of their own talented chefs, Chef Bob Kowalske, has taken center stage on the global culinary platform, captivating audiences with his culinary artistry. Chef Bob recently wowed attendees at a prestigious street food festival in Lyon, France.
Chef Bob's culinary journey began in a family-owned food and vegetable market, where his passion for cooking took root. His path led him to pursue education in hotel and restaurant management, where he then embarked on a career that has seen him work in renowned hotels and resorts, and eventually find his true calling in senior living at Sunrise. For the past 13 years, Chef Bob has been utilizing his talents to create exceptional dining experiences for residents, elevating the standard of senior living cuisine.
As an esteemed member of the Gastronomic Union of Tucson (GUT), Bob was selected to represent Tucson at the esteemed international food festival in France. With Tucson as the sole U.S. city represented, Chef Bob proudly showcased the rich tapestry of Tucson's street food and its gastronomic heritage to an international audience.
The festival provided Chef Bob with a platform to demonstrate his skills and shine a spotlight on the limitless opportunities within the senior living industry. His creativity and skill were on full display as he expertly fused the vibrant flavors of Tucson's street food with his own innovative twists. Attendees were captivated by his delectable culinary creations.
In a recent interview with local TV station KVOA, Chef Bob shared his experiences representing Sunrise at the festival and the rewarding aspects of being a chef in the senior living industry. One standout recipe that he shared in the KVOA interview is a signature hot dog in Tucson called the Sonoran Hot Dog. A hot dog wrapped in bacon and grilled, served on a bolillo-style hot dog bun, and topped with pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, and a variety of additional condiments, often including mayonnaise, mustard, and jalapeño salsa. It perfectly represents the type of flavor and culinary excellence that Chef Bob brings to the dining experience at Sunrise Senior Living.
Sonoran Hot Dog (Makes 4 servings)
4 all beef hot dogs (or dog of your choice
4 pieces thinly sliced bacon
4 soft hot dog buns, sliced to order, leaving the ends closed or brioche
½ cup cooked pinto beans frijoles
¼ cup white onion (julienne)
¼ cup small, deseeded tomato (diced)
4 tablespoons yellow mustard
4 tablespoon mayonnaise
2 tablespoon raw diced white onion
4 tablespoons green (jalapeño) salsa
4 grilled yellow chili peppers
Instructions
1. Tightly wrap the hot dog with the bacon and place in a pan or flat top over medium heat, rolling occasionally. Keep rolling the dogs until the bacon is crispy.
2. In the same pan as the dog, add the julienne onions. Cook until brown and place the chili pepper in the pan. Cook until browned and set both aside.
3. Wrap the bun with a damp paper towel and microwave for 10 seconds to steam the buns until soft and pliable.
4. Building the dog:
a. Place the bacon wrapped dog in the bun.
b. Cover with beans.
c. Add sautéed onions.
d. Apply the jalapeño salsa, mustard, and mayonnaise on top, with the raw onions and diced tomatoes.
e. Place the yellow chili pepper on the side to eat with dog.
5. Enjoy your Sonoran Dog!
Chef Bob's journey exemplifies the opportunities that await talented chefs within the realm of senior living, as Sunrise Senior Living nurtures and encourages their culinary prowess. Through his remarkable skills and dedication, Chef Bob has not only elevated the dining experiences at Sunrise but has also brought well-deserved recognition to the exceptional culinary offerings found within senior living communities.