Spotlight on Rockwood South Hill Chef Yannick

Posted on February 07, 2012

by Prime INW February 7th, 2012

Yannick Droogmans is the head chef in one of the busiest kitchens in town. There’s no reservation list at this restaurant – the only requirement is that diners be 55-years or older.

Droogmans and his staff serve 800 meals a day – breakfast, lunch and dinner – at Rockwood Retirement Communities, South Hill.  Droogman, 51, is a classically-trained French Chef, and he uses only the freshest and most healthy ingredients in his dishes. “Forget what you think about the food in an ‘old folks home,’” he says. “This is like the food you would find at a resort.”

Born in France, Droogmans trained in a number of highly-acclaimed kitchens in his native country before coming to America, where he delighted stars in Hollywood movie studios. He moved to Spokane in 1994, and worked at a variety of local restaurants , including the downtown Sheraton and Cavanaugh’s River Inn, before bringing his culinary talents to Rockwood-South Hill.

“I love to work with the residents,” Droogmans says. “It’s not like in a hotel or restaurant where people come and go. Here, it’s like cooking for family.”