Expanding Life Through Artistry and Service
Spending time in the kitchen with Chef Erika Webb is a treat in and of itself. On a winter afternoon at Plymouth Place in La Grange, she expertly prepared specialty chocolate boxes for each board member to take home after their meeting. She dipped her homemade biscotti in rich dark chocolate, adorned delicate confections with shimmering gold leaf, and moved with the calm confidence of someone who has truly mastered her craft. The scent of chocolate filled the air. Erika smiled easily. There was joy in every detail.
That joy and sense of excellence are exactly why Erika was invited to be Plymouth Place’s Culinary Artist-in-Residence.
As a premier senior living community in La Grange, Plymouth Place believes retirement living should expand life — not narrow it. Bringing in a chef of Erika’s caliber reflects that commitment: offering residents new experiences and elevated dining through the artistry of food.
“Erika brings something truly special,” said Cheri Boublis, Senior Director of Hospitality Services at Plymouth Place, known for its exceptional senior dining program and warm, resident-centered approach. “Her level of expertise is extraordinary, but it’s her heart for people that makes her such a natural fit.”
A Career Defined By Craft
Erika’s culinary journey began more than three decades ago on Chicago’s South Side in Chatham. Her path wasn’t linear — she started her professional life in banking before pursuing her passion for the culinary arts. That leap of faith led her to some of the city’s most celebrated kitchens, including Charlie Trotter’s, Shaw’s Crab House, Ambria, Tru, and The Ritz-Carlton Chicago.
In these high-profile environments, Erika mastered both savory and pastry arts, drawn especially to the discipline and precision of pastry. Chocolate work. Sugar showpieces. Gum paste flowers that blur the line between art and dessert.
She later shared her expertise as an instructor at Le Cordon Bleu Chicago and Kendall College, mentoring the next generation of pastry chefs in both artistry and excellence.
Where Passion Meets Stewardship
In 2019, Erika accepted a role that reshaped her understanding of service: Executive Chef at Pacific Garden Mission, a ministry serving Chicago’s homeless community for more than 75 years.
There, she transformed a treasure trove of donated food into beautifully prepared, nourishing meals — elevating not just the food, but the dignity of those served. She trained staff, improved operations and embraced what she calls the importance of stewardship.
“It was six years of incredible challenge and incredible privilege,” Erika reflects. “It deepened my faith and solidified my conviction about being a good steward of what you’re entrusted with.”
“Although Pacific Garden Mission and Plymouth Place are on opposite ends of the spectrum,” she added, “the staff’s commitment to caring for residents is just as dedicated. I’ve also enjoyed learning that residents here are highly involved in giving back to the surrounding community. The missional engagement is inspiring.”
A Natural Fit in This La Grange Retirement Community
Since arriving at Plymouth Place, Erika’s role has extended well beyond exceptional desserts — though residents have certainly been wowed by her chocolate artistry. She consults on special events and is currently helping shape the new Spring menu for Thirty North, bringing fresh ideas and refined techniques to the restaurant’s already elevated menu at this Life Plan Community near Chicago.
She has also embraced opportunities for deeper interaction, including working with students at Lyons Township High School on pastry techniques, and participating more closely with residents at Plymouth Place’s Memory Café, part of the community’s compassionate memory care program in La Grange.
“That was truly a highlight of my time here,” said Erika. “I’ve had relatives with memory issues. Participating in the Memory Café session allowed me to see the depth of the staff’s planning and intention. I was impressed and touched by their compassion in motion. I love that my role here is about more than cooking. It’s about engagement.”
“She doesn’t just stay in the kitchen,” Cheri added. “She wants interaction. She wants conversation. She wants to teach. That’s what makes this so special. And for that, we are grateful.”
To learn about independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care at Plymouth Place in La Grange, call (708) 354-0340 or schedule a visit today.