Harbor Retirement Associates’ Senior Director of Hospitality Wins 2026 DISHED Award

Vero Beach, FL – Harbor Retirement Associates is pleased to announce Lee Sesco, Senior Director of Hospitality at HarborChase of Sarasota, won the 2026 ‘Palette Pleaser’ DISHED Senior Living Dining Innovation Award. The program recognizes individuals who are visionaries within their organizations and the senior living sector. They spotlight culinary experts whose creativity and passion are transforming senior living dining – from menu creation and innovating the resident dining experience, to leveraging new technologies, and implementing new operational models.

The ‘Palette Pleaser’ award specifically honors chefs and other food & beverage professionals for their innovations in menu creation, use of ingredients, and culinary techniques. Lee’s 20 years of culinary and executive chef management experience includes restaurants and senior living communities throughout the state of Florida. 

“Lee is a phenomenal chef. He is creating dining experiences that our residents, families, and guests love,” said Sarabeth Hanson, HRA Chief Executive Officer. “His hospitality expertise not only delights everyone who experiences it, he is creating dining experiences that nourish both body and soul, while also celebrating senior living and helping drive high occupancy.”

ABOUT HARBOR RETIREMENT ASSOCIATES

Harbor Retirement Associates (HRA) is a regional senior living development and hospitality management company, focused on Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care senior living communities. HRA operates 19 HarborChase communities in 8 states and is partnering on the renovation or construction of supplementary communities. HarborChase communities have been awarded the GREAT PLACE TO WORK designation for six consecutive years and ranked in the top 15% of the nation for BEST CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE.