Celebrating Excellence: Chef Anthony Neal Earns His Certified Executive Chef Credential

Dec 5, Alissa Sauer

At MacKenzie Place — Colorado Springs, dining is central to how we support resident health, engagement, and overall well-being. Thoughtfully prepared meals do more than provide nutrition; they promote connection, encourage routine, and create meaningful daily experiences that contribute to long-term wellness.

This commitment to excellence is one reason our community was named a U.S. News & World Report Best Independent Living, Best Assisted Living, and Best Memory Care community. Our approach to dining reflects the same standard of quality that guides every aspect of life at MacKenzie Place.

Dine Well. Live Well at MacKenzie Place. 

As a Leisure Care community, MacKenzie Place — Colorado Springs offers residents exclusive access to PrimeFit Wellness™, our signature approach to senior health and wellness. Within PrimeFit Wellness™, dining plays a critical and measurable role. Good nutrition supports strength, cognition, immunity, and energy, all key pillars of aging well. Shared meals also foster social connection, which is strongly linked to longevity, resilience, and improved health outcomes.

By prioritizing high-quality ingredients, balanced menus, and a welcoming dining environment, we reinforce PrimeFit Wellness™ every day. Dining becomes a reliable source of stability, comfort, and vitality for the people who call our community home.

Recognizing MacKenzie Place — Colorado Springs Chef Anthony Neal, CEC

We are pleased to recognize Chef Anthony Neal for achieving his Certified Executive Chef (CEC) credential, one of the most respected distinctions in professional culinary arts. Chef Neal is the first chef across all Leisure Care communities to earn this certification, demonstrating his dedication to our dining program.

The CEC certification requires both technical mastery and disciplined preparation, including a comprehensive written exam and an intensive practical assessment. Chef Neal completed months of rigorous training, refining classical techniques, practicing advanced culinary skills, and preparing a four-course evaluation menu for industry experts.

His achievement reflects a high level of professionalism and directly enhances the dining experience for residents and their families. Chef Neal’s leadership influences every facet of our dining program.

Residents benefit from:

• Menus designed with nutrition, variety, and seasonality in mind
• Dishes prepared with precision and consistency
• Culinary options that accommodate diverse preferences and needs
• Dining experiences that contribute to comfort, routine, and enjoyment

These elements support the physical, social, and emotional dimensions of wellness. They also reinforce our ongoing commitment to providing an exceptional living experience.

Setting the Standard for Excellence

Chef Neal’s accomplishment is a meaningful milestone for our community and aligns with the principles that guide MacKenzie Place — Colorado Springs: quality, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to resident well-being.

We are proud to celebrate Chef Anthony Neal, CEC, and grateful for the expertise he brings to our dining program. His work strengthens the MacKenzie Place experience and supports our mission to help residents live with confidence, purpose, and joy.

Join us for a meal! Contact us today.