Leny Longo, who works at the Royal Oaks Life Plan Community in Sun City, has melded his photographic talents with fellow workers in the culinary department to capture a photograph currently on display at The Herberger Theater and Galley in Phoenix.
Longo submitted five photographs of the culinary team’s dishes to a recent competition that included 37 other culinary artists from Arizona. This included Picnic Lunch with Pinot, Aragoste, Purple and Yellow, and Pulpa Gambaiala Planca, as well as Royal Oaks’ executive chef Francelle Mata’s creation titled Aladdin’s Coffee, which was chosen. Mata used a smoke bubble with coffee to enhance the artistry of the presentation. It was that creativity that caught the eye of the judges. A photograph of a dish prepared by Royal Oaks chef Jorge Cabrera Madrigal also was considered.
“We are so proud of Leny and Francelle and our entire culinary staff,” said Royal Oaks Chief Operating Officer Gretchen Cobb. “They demonstrate the breadth of talent that we have here at Royal Oaks. We could not be prouder.”