Compliments from the Chef: Philip’s Story

Over the years, Philip has worked as an executive chef, a janitor and everything in between.  “I’ve got a ‘can-do’ attitude, so I can take on most any job that comes my way,” he says.

The sixty-six year old describes himself as a “jack of all trades.” He moved to San Francisco in 1985 after spending many years in the Army, which he joined at the young age of 17.  There, too, he served in many roles - as a combat medic in multiple deployments, as well as a chef who cooked for battalions of U.S. soldiers in Vietnam.

Today, Philip is retired and has lunch most days at the Castro Senior Center, where he enjoys the good company of fellow seniors, along with a healthy meal from Project Open Hand. He also enjoys singing and performing with the Castro Senior Choir and Community Voices of San Francisco. 

“I ride the bus over from my place in the Mission,” he said.  “I enjoy coming to see Paul, Bill and Ted.  Over these last few months, we’ve become friends.” 

As a former chef, Philip needs no prompting to share his opinions about the lunch fare:  “I enjoy the meals here, they’re pretty good.  And though I don’t care for tofu, I know why it’s being served – I know it’s good for me.  My favorite dishes are the Salisbury steak and eggplant parmesan. Those are dishes that I like to cook myself.”

With more than half of his disability benefits going toward rent, getting healthy meals with love from Project Open Hand is important to Philip. 

“I come here five days a week for lunch. I’m really counting on this food; it’s my primary meal of the day,” he says.  “If I wasn’t coming here for lunch, I’d be eating a whole lot of Chef Boyardee. And I know that would not be good for me.”

Do you know a local senior who could benefit from healthy meals and great company?  Please tell him or her about our Senior Lunch Program.