Putting heart on the tray: Chef Tony West serves more than just meals

At LewisGale Hospital Pulaski, great care is served up in every department—including the kitchen.

Chef Tony West, Director of Food and Nutrition Services (FANS), is known not just for his exceptional culinary skills, honed whipping up VIP meals for celebrities like John Stamos, Tom Petty, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito, but also for the compassion and professionalism he brings to every dish he prepares.

Whether he’s serving a patient recovering from surgery or plating a meal for a colleague, West brings the same warmth, dignity, and attention to detail.

“I don’t care if you’re rich, poor, or famous,” West said in a recent interview. “Everybody deserves a meal made with heart.”

With decades of experience in food service and hospitality, West has earned the admiration of both his team and the patients he serves. His care-first philosophy and high standards have helped elevate the entire food experience at the hospital. 

West’s impressive background even includes time with racing legend Richard Petty, with whom he once shared a kitchen and still proudly keeps a photo. But for West, the focus has always remained on the people in front of him, not the people in the headlines.

Hospital CEO Sean Pressman shared his appreciation: “Chef Tony exemplifies what caring and compassionate care is all about. He brings excellence to his work every day, not just through his talent, but through the care and respect he shows each person. He’s a leader in our culture of compassion.”

His story is a reminder that healing comes in many forms, and sometimes it’s delivered on a tray with a smile.

Thank you, Chef Tony West, for feeding not only our patients, but our hearts.