Luther Acres senior living community welcomed celebrity chef Aarti Sequeira on June 15 for an interactive, on-site cooking demonstration. Sequeira - a cooking show host, cookbook author, journalist and television producer - visited the campus, 600 E. Main St., Lititz, to conduct a "Teaching Kitchen" hands-on experience. Alongside several residents, she prepared chai-brined pork chops with spiked 'n' spiced apple chutney. She spoke about her upbringing in India and how her favorite culinary dishes are inspired by her background. Chai tea was also served during her presentation for residents who gathered to watch the live demonstration in the campus Community Room. Later that evening, the pork chop recipe was presented at the annual Luther Acres Resident Summer Picnic as a pulled pork sandwich with chutney as a condiment.

Following the cooking demonstration, Sequeira answered questions from residents and gave away several cookbooks. She was intrigued by traditional Pennsylvania Dutch cooking and its use of saffron in several dishes. The residents suggested she try real chicken potpie with no crust and square noodles, as well as shoofly pie, while she was in Lancaster County, and she received recommendations for local farmers markets and restaurants. She also posed for photos and autographed cookbooks for both residents and staff members.

Sequeira became a mainstay on The Food Network after winning Season 6 of "The Next Food Network Star." She has hosted her own shows - "Aarti Party," and the travel show "Hidden Eats, USA" - and serves as a judge on shows such as "Guy's Grocery Games" and "Cooks vs. Cons."

Sequeira's visit was part of Morrison Living's Celebrity Chef Series, offered in partnership with Luther Acres to bring interactive and engaging culinary experiences to residents. Morrison Living is the culinary services provider for Luther Acres and other Luthercare communities.