I’ve often marveled at the generosity of the Central Florida culinary community and its willingness to donate, volunteer and participate in good causes. But here’s a new level of compassion.

Beginning this month, restaurants are participating in an ongoing Dementia-friendly Dining program, wherein family members and caregivers can bring people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia to dine in a safe and welcoming environment. The program was founded by Dennis Dulniak, who was caregiver for his wife, Nancy. Dulniak started Dementia-friendly Dining a few years ago but had to suspend it when the pandemic hit. 

Musical Chefs…Alberto Taboada was named executive chef for the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes in March. He oversees the newly reopened Primo by Chef Melissa Kelly, Whisper Creek Farm: The Kitchen, and Knife Burger by John Tesar, which is now officially open, as well as other culinary operations. Taboada replaced Michael Dunton, who has been named executive chef at Rosen Shingle Creek.

Pammie’s Sammies in Winter Garden is known for its sandwiches, of course, but owner Pam Thomas has come up with a breakfast creation that’s perfect for kids who might want to serve mom breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day – French Toast Casserole.

It’s a very forgiving recipe – the measurements don’t have to be exact, in fact Thomas uses a coffee cup to measure some of the ingredients. You can assume the coffee cup is about 10 ounces.

Watch Thomas demonstrate the recipe in the video below, then gather your ingredients together for a Mother’s Day (or any day) treat.

I’m not sure who was in charge of this year’s calendar, but having Mother’s Day come so fast after Easter was just bad planning. I want names.

But there’s nothing we can do about it now, and in case you haven’t noticed, Mother’s Day is just over a week away, May 8.

But luckily we have several good Mother’s Day dining options for you on our Holiday Dining pages.

Some of the highlights include:

• A buffet with bottomless mimosas at the beautiful Hemisphere at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport.
• Tap Room at Dubsdread’s always popular spread featuring carving stations of prime rib and roasted leg of lamb.
• A special a la carte menu at the the Ritz’s ritzy Knife & Spoon.
• Brunch at Highball & Harvest, also at the Ritz-Carlton.
• Brunch favorites and spritz cocktails at Primo at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes.
• And a lavish brunch at the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek.

Lots of other options to consider, too, but be sure to make your reservations right away. You don’t want to just show up with Mom on the eighth and not have a table. She’s just going to look at you with a look of disappointment, just like that time you told her you were going to finally get a job and make something of yourself and then took off to Aruba with a bunch of your friends and then had to call and ask her to send you money to get back home. You don’t want to see that look she had when you came through the door and slunk off to your room.

Here’s that link to the Mother’s Day dining listings again.