Hospitality Veteran Uwe Werner Named Campus Director of Dining Services at Walpole’s New Pond Village

WALPOLE, MA - Benchmark Senior Living has appointed hospitality veteran Uwe Werner as Campus Director of Dining Services at New Pond Village in Walpole, Mass. He has been with Benchmark for more than 10 years in a number of culinary positions of increasing responsibility.

November '18

Werner is an award-winning, classically trained European chef who began his culinary career more than 20 years ago in his home country of Germany. At New Pond Village, he leads the 45-person culinary team serving daily meals to more than 200 residents and guests. He also creates and prepares menus for a variety of social events hosted regularly at this senior living community.

“I am honored to serve the residents of New Pond Village,” Werner says. “My goal is to keep our menu interesting and provide a wide variety of options. I meet with a group of residents regularly to determine their likes and dislikes and incorporate their feedback into my culinary creations. Whether it’s much-loved comfort foods like macaroni and cheese and shepherd’s pie or more exotic dishes like venison or duck breast topped with sour cherries, I strive to prepare interesting and unique selections for our diners.”

Prior to arriving at New Pond Village, Werner served as senior dining services director at a sister Benchmark community, The Falls at Cordingly Dam in Newton, Mass., where he developed signature culinary programs based on the National Wellness Institute’s Six Dimensions of Wellness.

“We are excited to have Chef Werner in our kitchen at New Pond Village,” says Campus Executive Director Susan Cwieka. “He is dedicated to selecting the finest, freshest ingredients to create an amazing selection for our residents. Our foodservice operation is first-rate with him leading the team, and not a day goes by that I don’t hear about something delicious coming from our kitchen. We are extremely fortunate to have him with us.”

Before Benchmark, Werner worked with Hilton International at five-star restaurants in Berlin, Munich, Brussels and London.

Werner has a bachelor’s degree in international hotel and restaurant management from the Hotel Management School in Heidelberg, Germany. He received his certification in baking and pastry from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., and was recognized as a certified chef by Berlin’s Hotel Catering School.

Active in food and beverage organizations, including Wine Club, Ale & Lager Society and Bakers Club, Werner lives in Mansfield, Mass, with his two children. When not spending time outdoors, one of his favorite hobbies is food photography.