Lola Nelson

Lola began working for Avalon as a cook at both the adolescent and adult homes eight years ago. She stepped into the role of culinary coordinator six years ago. She loves the work and finds it both challenging and very rewarding to help in the process of changing the way the clients look and feel about food while experiencing a diverse array of meals, snacks, and desserts.

Lola’s love of all foods started in her grandmother’s as well as her mother’s kitchen where she learned to cook various dishes. She enjoyed the way it brought her family and friends together to learn and experience different dishes from all walks of life. Lola has always felt it was of great importance to teach children to help prepare food and to feel at ease in the kitchen all while trying new things. Lola describes this as her having “always experienced great bonds remade with great people in the kitchen.” Lola also finds it satisfying to design menus for Avalon’s residents that incorporate ingredients or items that she has heard are their favorite things. This, Lola feels, assists Avalon’s residents with recognizing that she heard or “paid attention” to what Avalon’s residents have shared with her.

In her time away from work, Lola loves to spend time with family, traveling, “road tripping,” flower gardening, and enjoys anything outdoors in warm weather. During the cold months, Lola enjoys the great indoors with lots of blankets next to a warm fire with a true crime mystery. Lola has two amazing dogs that she spends as much time with as possible.