Exquisite Dining at Timber Ridge at Talus
The exquisite dining at Timber Ridge at Talus has always been more than a meal—it’s an experience. Today, that experience is reaching new heights thanks to the combined vision of Food and Beverage Director William Abel and Executive Chef® Rick Lowell, two seasoned professionals who bring world-class training, creativity, and passion to our community.
Together, they are transforming the culinary landscape at Timber Ridge, blending technique, innovation, and resident-driven collaboration to deliver an exceptional dining program to the community.
Meet William Abel, Food and Beverage Director
William’s love for food began at age six, when he created his first cookbook. After attending culinary school in London, he cooked in fine dining restaurants and luxury hotels throughout the city before returning to Seattle to open hotels and manage high-level dining operations—including in senior living.
William said, “I have only ever been interested in working for the best of the best. When I saw that Timber Ridge was looking for a Food and Beverage Director, I threw my hat in the ring. Over the last year and a half, I have put in many programs that have improved the quality of service, the quality of food, the overall vision for the future, and greatly improved staff turnover and satisfaction.”
For nearly two years, he has done just that—improving service quality, expanding menu variety, increasing staff satisfaction, and laying the groundwork for a more modern, innovative dining program.
A Vision Built on Health, Flavor, and Variety
William’s global culinary background allows him to create menus that are both delicious and inclusive.
“As someone who has cooked and served at high levels, I was able to utilize my skill set to introduce a wider variety of cuisines and techniques to improve the quality and variety of the dining program. Keeping up to date with the latest trends has also allowed me to cater meals to many different dietary restrictions to ensure everyone gets a great meal,” William said.
Meet Rick Lowell, Executive Chef®
Chef Rick brings extensive experience in large-scale, high-level culinary operations—including serving as the official catering chef for the Goodwill Games, where he and his team successfully served half a million people in 10 days.
Chef Rick said, “We will bring innovation to the dining experience with action stations, carving stations, and chef demonstrations.”
Innovation on the Menu
Timber Ridge is elevating dining with creative, resident-driven enhancements. William Abel and Chef Rick Lowell are introducing redesigned spaces, interactive cooking demos, and menus shaped by resident feedback to make every meal exceptional.
Major Dining Space Redesign
William is overseeing a transformative renovation, driven by resident feedback.
Planned enhancements include:
- A brand-new cocktail lounge
- A new coffee shop
- A grab-and-go market
- Upscale à la carte dining
- Reimagined dining rooms and improved layout flow
“We have already incorporated many ideas into Timber Ridge. Our next big plan is a total redesign of the dining spaces to keep Timber Ridge at the cutting edge of dining programs,” said William.
Action Stations, Demonstrations, and More
Chef Rick is adding culinary theater to the dining program:
- Live cooking demos
- Carving stations
- Interactive action stations
- Innovative weekly changing menus
Resident Feedback at the Heart of Every Menu
Both leaders strongly believe that the best dining programs are shaped by the people who enjoy them.
Chef Rick said, “Resident feedback is an integral piece, as we can focus on what the residents love eating, and it helps us with incorporating local and seasonal dishes and trends.”
William said, “We incorporate resident feedback into many aspects of menu planning and dining events.”
Special Menus and Themed Dining Experiences
Residents can look forward to:
- Monthly wine dinners
- Generations Across Dinner
- Mystery Theater Dinner
- Afternoon Tea
- Special menus featuring global cuisines
- Food and wine pairings with Washington state wineries
- Seasonal and holiday celebrations
“[We’re] offering a wide variety of foods from different ethnicities while utilizing organic, local, and seasonal ingredients. We work with a lot of Washington state wineries on food and wine pairings,” said Chef Rick.
Leadership Rooted in Respect and Teaching
For William, a defining leadership moment came early in his career while working in London. After witnessing a chef berate a junior cook for a minor mistake, he realized the value of patience and compassion in the kitchen.
“That’s always been the basis for my leadership style,” said William.
Chef Rick’s major career milestone—the Goodwill Games—cemented his belief in teamwork, preparation, and organization.
Both leaders place strong emphasis on coaching and mentorship, helping staff develop skills that will serve them throughout their careers.
Connecting with Residents
Chef Rick has been meeting with residents floor by floor to listen, answer questions, and gather ideas for future menu enhancements.
“I have been meeting with each floor to discuss the food program and do Q&A sessions,” said Chef Rick.
Experience the Elevated Dining at Timber Ridge
Looking ahead, William and Chef Rick share a unified vision: to deliver the highest level of quality, creativity, and hospitality in every meal—while making dining a joyful part of everyday life for residents and staff.
Discover why residents love calling Timber Ridge home—and why dining here is truly something special. Contact us today to schedule a tour.
