Swiss Village is pleased to announce John O’Donnell as the new Executive Chef/Assistant Food Service Director. O’Donnell is a graduate of South Adams High School and Ivy Tech Community College, where he received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Hospitality Administration. O’Donnell is a Certified Culinarian and holds a Technical Certificate in Hospitality Administration. Most recently, he worked at the Hilton Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Convention Center as a Restaurant Chef and Line Cook. He will begin working for the retirement community on January 31, 2019.
O’Donnell was a 2017 winner of an Ivy Tech Mystery Basket Competition, which led him to participate in MBI International Culinary Studies, where he received a training certificate from Institut Paul Bocuse in France.
“We are pleased to welcome John to the Swiss Village family,” said Patty Habegger, Director of Food Service. “In his new role, he will help manage the kitchen, oversee menu planning, and work with our talented team to create dishes for our residents and visitors to enjoy. We are so excited for him to be able to use his culinary skills and hospitality experience to enhance the meal experience at our facility, and we are eager to see how we can grow as a team using the knowledge he brings to our department!”
“I’m looking forward to the positive impact I know I can bring to the lives of the residents through the culinary department,” said O’Donnell.
O’Donnell recently moved back to Berne and is excited about the opportunity to work for Swiss Village. In his free time, he enjoys playing in recreational soccer leagues, listening to music, playing video games, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
