Chris Rocks, associate director of culinary services at Oak Hammock, has two passions in life: caring for seniors and food. Fortunately, he found his calling at Oak Hammock 14 years ago, and he’s exactly where he’s meant to be.

The quote by Marc Anthony, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life,” perfectly captures Chris’s approach to his work.

As associate director, Chris is responsible for overseeing the culinary experience and all food and beverage operations on campus. This includes Treats and Treasures, Gator Lounge, formal dining services, health pavilion operations and all catering events.

Sitting next to Rocks outside the busy dining services area, Rocks appears calm, kind and humble about being interviewed. There is constant interruption because of the time of day and upcoming activities, but Rocks is patiently observant, quietly responsive and aware of which activities may require immediate attention.

Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Chris moved to Gainesville after high school, following his two older brothers who were attending the University of Florida. He began working in restaurants at a young age, always knowing he wanted to pursue a career in the food industry. His mother owned a restaurant, where Chris learned all aspects of front-of-house operations, including relationship building skills. “I learned everything there is to know—except how to cook!” he says with a smile.

Growing up with his grandparents, Chris gained a deep understanding of the challenges older people face. His early volunteering at nursing facilities strengthened his passion for caring for older adults. At Oak Hammock, he feels right at home, building relationships, mutual respect and a meaningful connections with each resident by understanding their unique preferences and needs.

Chris joined Oak Hammock in 2011 as a server and quickly moved up the ranks. He was promoted to shift supervisor, assistant restaurant manager, restaurant manager, and ultimately associate director of culinary services in 2023. Rose Crowder, director of culinary services, shares, “When I arrived at Oak Hammock in May 2022, it didn’t take long to realize what Chris brings to our community. He’s thoughtful, kind, and one of the hardest workers I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Every senior living facility needs a Chris Rocks!”

Recently, Rocks sat down to share his thoughts:

What do you like most about your job?

My goal is to improve the lives of the residents, create a positive interaction and make their day a little better. I encourage the dining team colleagues to get to know each of the residents, developing a personal connection and being more than just order takers. I oversee the dining services operation, solve problems and plan ahead for upcoming events and menu offerings. For example, introducing Oakley, the robot, to Oak Hammock has allowed servers to remain in the dining room while still engaging with residents.

How do you apply We Care to what you do? 

The We Care principles—welcoming, exceptional, courteous, attentive, responsive, and empathetic—resonate deeply with me. Growing up with my grandparents, I saw firsthand the challenges seniors face. This motivates me to accommodate their requests and provide the best experience possible. I strive to come in with a smile, give residents the attention they deserve and ensure the dining team understands their needs. For instance, when training new staff, I emphasize the importance of connection with residents—remembering their favorite dishes and preferences, as well as other ways of effective relationship building. We use every opportunity to build an emotional connection and to improve our services, such as offering more gluten-free desserts for residents with dietary restrictions.

Please share a story you have about a positive experience with a resident or co-worker.

I have so many positive experiences, but several come to mind immediately. I am so appreciative of the good relationships and meaningful connection I have with the residents. Over the years, resident Karen Miller has been a constant source of encouragement, guiding me to expand my personal goals and professional development. She inspired me to earn my certified dietary manager certification from the University of Florida. I am also looking at other continuing education programs.

Most people know I’m married to Rachel Rocks, who also works at Oak Hammock. We met when she started as a server in 2011, and I immediately noticed her warm smile. She was always friendly, and her smile stood out to me. I was also struck by her dedication to the residents and the special care she took in tending to their needs. I remember telling a co-worker, “One day, she’ll be my girlfriend.” Two years later, after I became shift supervisor, we started dating. We were married in 2018, and our daughter Lilly was born in 2021, followed by our daughter Clara in 2024. The residents tell me how much they enjoy seeing our family at Oak Hammock.

I’m also grateful to resident Jerry Kirkpatrick, who offered valuable marriage advice. When I was nervous about proposing to Rachel, he helped me gain confidence, telling me, ‘Don’t be scared.’ Those words changed my life.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

People might be surprised to know that I was involved in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, or JROTC, in high school. I was ranked the highest in my school and finished seventh out of over 2,500 cadets in Broward County. My team was also selected for the National Brain Bowl Competition, a prestigious event for the top 1 % of all JROTC programs in the nation.

“We are fortunate to have Chris Rocks in a management position at Oak Hammock. Over the years, he has gone above and beyond in serving the residents, always ready to please. His combination of hard work, efficiency and a pleasant demeanor makes him an invaluable asset to our community.” – Jerry Kirkpatrick, Resident, Founders’ Club (20 years at Oak Hammock)

“Chris Rocks is one of Oak Hammock’s most outstanding hospitality professionals. He goes out of his way to get to know residents, learning their needs and preferences. His skill in training and leading the dining services team is evident to anyone who spends time in the dining room. Chris also excels at planning parties that reflect residents’ food preferences. I hope he continues to thrive here for many years to come.” – Karen Miller, Resident