Three finalists to compete live on April 15 in the Morning Pointe culinary showdown
The competition is heating up as Morning Pointe Senior Living prepares to host the Smoky Regional Round of its 2026 Top Chef Challenge at Morning Pointe of Powell Assisted Living on April 15 at 5:00 p.m.
Three standout Food Service Directors have advanced to represent the Smoky Region:
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Victoria Sieber, The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Lenoir City
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Brandon Shelton, The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Knoxville
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Brandon Turner, The Lantern at Morning Pointe, Hardin Valley
Each earned their spot through strong performances in the community-level competition, where residents sampled and voted on their favorite scratch-made dishes.
The Morning Pointe Senior Living Top Chef Challenge is a multi-round culinary competition that celebrates the creativity, skill, and heart behind the organization’s dining teams. It begins at the community level, where residents play a key role in selecting their favorites. From there, top performers advance to regional rounds, with finalists ultimately competing for a place in the 2026 championship.
Now, these three regional finalists will take the stage in a live cooking competition in front of residents, guests, and a panel of judges. Each competitor will prepare a dish to be evaluated on taste, presentation, and creativity.
“This competition is a great reflection of the pride and passion our Food Service Directors bring to the table every day,” said Justin Leiter, Director of Dining Operations for Morning Pointe Senior Living. “It starts with residents, and that’s what makes it special. Their involvement in the first round ensures this truly represents what they enjoy most, and now we get to showcase that talent on a larger stage.”
The judging panel for the Smoky Regional Round will feature a mix of culinary professionals and local food experts, including Eric McNew, known as KnoxFoodie, and Chef Ben Cummings, Culinary Instructor at Pellissippi State Community College.
The event is open to the public and offers a unique opportunity to experience the creativity behind Morning Pointe’s dining program while supporting team members who serve residents each day.
