SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
WRITTEN BY KARA HARPER, HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAM COORDINATOR
If you’ve attended one of our Health and Wellness Programs, chances are you’ve met Jeff Hartmann. A longtime participant, Jeff first joined us back when our programs were held at the Hyde Park Senior Center. You may already know him for his kind, gentle spirit that makes everyone feel seen—but what you may not know is Jeff spent his career as a professional chef! Keep reading to learn more.
Jeff was the oldest of three children and grew up in Plymouth, Ohio—a small rural town with fewer than 500 residents. He fondly remembers going to a neighbor’s house for Bible study, lured by the promise of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. After high school, Jeff pursued his passion for food at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, with the encouragement of his parents.
“Being from a small town, I was very shy,” he recalls. But one of his professors encouraged him to engage more in class, telling him that his success would depend on it. Jeff took that advice to heart and gradually began participating more, building his confidence and finding his voice.
At the Culinary Institute, Jeff learned from chefs from around the globe including France, London and Japan. He remembers it as a “wonderful experience.” He graduated with a 3.5 GPA and went on to work at the Cedar Point Yacht Club in Ohio. The highlight of his culinary career was serving as Head Chef at The Ohio State University Faculty Club. There, he prepared meals for faculty and distinguished guests including President Gerald Ford, President Jimmy Carter and then-Prince (now King) of Saudi Arabia.
Jeff later moved to Atlanta to continue his career as a chef before eventually settling in Cincinnati in 2000 and working on Mercy Health-Anderson Hospital’s dietary team. His favorite dish to prepare was beef stroganoff made with tenderloin and his favorite part of the job was watching people enjoy the food he poured his heart and creativity into.
Although he’s now retired, Jeff is intentional about staying active in the community. He is an active member of our Health and Wellness Programs and the Eastside Rec Center Senior Program. He also participates in a book club (currently reading the autobiography of Viola Davis) and a birthday club that started during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The group attends restaurants to celebrate one another.
In his free time, he enjoys the company of his cat, Rosie, who he lovingly inherited from his late sister. He shares that during these times, it’s important that we stay connected to one another and to remember to have compassion.
Meals on Wheels of Southwest OH & Northern KY offers a wide range of health and wellness events and activities, both virtual and in-person, for older adults and seniors. They are designed to foster community, create connections and keep seniors engaged with their peers and their own wellbeing. View more about this program and check out upcoming engagement opportunities here!