Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus among panel of judges

GOSHEN, N.Y. (February 19, 2014) – On Wednesday, February 12, the halls of Glen Arden were filled with the sweet aroma of chocolate as Glen Arden hosted Elant’s Second Annual Chocolate Dessert Contest. Residents and staff from seven of Elant’s campuses participated in this fun-filled and delicious event.

A panel of four judges featuring Steve Neuhaus, Orange County Executive; Todd Whitney, Elant President and CEO; Shannon Wong, Orange County Legislator; and Mike Urato, Chef of Delancey’s Restaurant in Goshen decided on the contests winners. The entries included Chocolate Chip Macaroons with Chocolate Dipped Strawberries (Elant at Meadow Hill); Moist Espresso Chocolate Cupcake with a Kick (Elant at Goshen Adult Home); Death by Chocolate (Elant at Goshen Nursing Care Center); Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies (Glen Arden Enriched Housing Units); Chocolate Dipped Marshmallow Pops (Glen Arden Health Care Center); Raspberry Cheesecake Chocolate Sweetings (Elant at Fishkill); and Salted Pretzel Caramel Brownies (Elant at Wappingers Falls).

The entries were judged on a series of categories: the quality of the homemade dessert; the amount of chocolate it contained; whether or not it reflected a Valentine’s theme; the presentation; the texture/consistency and the flavor. The judging lasted approximately one hour.

While it was a tough call for the judges, the Elant at Goshen Adult Home won First Place for their Chocolate Espresso Cupcake with a Kick; the Glen Arden Enriched Housing Units took Second Place for their Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies and Elant at Meadow Hill was awarded Third Place for their Chocolate Chip Macaroons with Chocolate Dipped Strawberries.

“The residents really enjoy this event, and I can tell you from personal experience that the judges enjoyed it, too,” said Todd Whitney. “It’s a fun way for our residents to work together and create something that they take pride in. The event is also another example of the many ways in which we work to engage our residents in unique activities and enhance the quality of life. We greatly appreciate the time our County Executive, County Legislator and a local chef took out of their day to participate in this event. We hope they’ll come back as judges again next year.”