Glen Glancy: Bringing Creativity to the Table

Food quality and variety are two critically important attributes of "home." Glen Glancy's role as food and beverage director at Ecumen's Lakeview Commons in Maplewood is essential to enhancing home and choice.

Glen's contribution to creating home at Lakeview Commons includes a tremendous mix of talent, compassion, creativity and dedication. Glen turns to his customers – the residents of Lakeview Commons – for insights that guide his team's menu development.

"We are guests in our residents' home," says Glen. "As guests, my colleagues and I strive to make the dining experience a wonderful experience, and our residents' input and feedback are absolutely essential to that."

Glen grew up on Saint Paul's East Side not far from Lakeview Commons before obtaining his degree in culinary arts. Glen is renowned throughout Ecumen for the tremendous creativity he brings to the culinary experience. During the holidays, for example, Glen puts in 100 or more hours constructing elaborate gingerbread displays at Lakeview Commons. Every year brings a new theme. Two years ago, he designed a replica of the St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Palace and last year a country church. Speaking of ice palaces, Glen is also well-known for the ice sculptures he creates to adorn meals celebrating extra special occasions.

At this year's Ecumen Leadership Conference, Glen received the Team Member "Volunteer of the Year" award, which celebrates Ecumen team members who go far beyond the call of their job description. Whether in his job, or in his volunteer work, Glen enhances "home" and "choice."