Growth Story – Culinary Director
Working in memory care was new to me and it’s really emphasized the value of communications, teamwork and just listening and understanding the needs of the people you serve, which in my case is the residents and associates.
A Northbridge Career Growth Story
Meet Pat Armstrong – Culinary Director
At Northbridge we are proud to foster a culture of opportunity and growth for our associates as they learn about life in the community, working with our residents and about the senior living industry. Many of our associates have been able to thrive and grow with us and we are excited to share their stories with you!
Years at Northbridge: 4 years
First job at Northbridge: Chef
Current job: Culinary Director
Community: Avita of Stroudwater
His story of growth:
- How long have you worked for Northbridge?
I started working for Northbridge in October of 2019. - What was your first job at Northbridge?
My first job with Northbridge was as a chef at Avita of Wells, working alongside Maeghan Corbo who is now the Culinary Director at Avita of Wells (read Maeghan’s growth story here!) and Matt Tremblay who was the Culinary Director at the time (click here to learn more about Matt), and is now the Director of Procurement for Northbridge. - What have you learned as you’ve grown in your career at Northbridge?
Almost all of my prior experience was in restaurant kitchens. Working in memory care was new to me and it’s really emphasized the value of communications, teamwork and just listening and understanding the needs of the people you serve, which in my case is the residents and associates. - What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is being able to do what I love every day. I’ve always been passionate about food and being able to do so in a way that makes so many residents happy is amazing! It also helps to be surrounded by such a wonderful team here at Avita of Stroudwater. The amount of support I’ve received has been incredible! - What would you say to someone who is thinking of starting a job at Northbridge?
If someone was thinking about starting a job at Northbridge I would say, don’t hesitate! You are encouraged to succeed on a daily basis and given the tools needed to do so. If your goal is to grow within the community, the opportunities are plentiful! - What differentiates Northbridge from other companies?
One thing that really stood out to me is the amount of creativity I was able to use when cooking. I could create dishes with my own recipes and use fresh, local ingredients. That’s what makes my job fun and seeing the smiles from our residents while they enjoy a meal is really incredible. Northbridge really puts the resident first and that’s nice to see! - What have you learned in your new job since being promoted?
I have an amazing crew here in my kitchen. As I continue to grow as a leader, I’ve learned the importance of listening. I believe it’s my duty to make their jobs easier, whether its by giving them the tools they need or knowledge to help them grow, or just being there to support them. Also, putting the right people in the right position is extremely important. Every day can have it’s challenges and they can be met with a solid team and the proper support.
Find a position at a Northbridge community near you!
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Working at a Northbridge senior living community
If you are considering a career in senior living, we hope you’ll consider one of our communities. Our team of associates makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents, every day. Because of that, we treat our team like family and we’re happy to offer:
- Competitive Pay
- Flexible Schedules
- Direct Deposit
- Vacation & Personal Days
- Paid Holidays & Sick Time
- Your Birthday Off
- Health Insurance to Qualified Associates
- 401k Company Match
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Ongoing Education
- Associate Appreciation
View our careers website today to view open positions, what a day working at Northbridge is like, and why our associates love to work here.
As a New England senior living company, we pride ourselves in being the local choice for families in need of assisted living or memory care. We look to our teams of associates to truly make our communities home for our residents. Whether that’s a helping hand or a moment to listen to a story, our associates are dedicated and compassionate. With 19 communities in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, we hope you’ll find your home here too. If you already love what you do, and want to love where you work, apply now! We look forward to meeting you.