Senior living chef has sights set on a James Beard Award

Chef Salvatore Pezzella has had an impressive career, working in some of the most well-known restaurants in Monte Carlo, Miami and his home country of Italy. But there is one thing he hasn’t accomplished yet – being named a James Beard award-winning chef. Pezzella is determined to make that dream a reality and bring the award to The Watermark at Marco Island, the upscale senior living community where he serves as Executive Chef.

While several senior living communities have partnered with James Beard award-winning chefs to elevate their dining programs, Pezzella would be the first award winner on staff at a community. It’s an honor he hopes to bring to Marco Island through his elevated menu centered around fresh, local cuisine.

“The first time I visited Watermark, I said I have an opportunity to make something special here,” said Pezzella. “The mentality at Watermark is very original – focusing on longevity and health – and I have the opportunity to tell my story and the story of Marco Island through food.”

Since The Watermark at Marco Island opened in April, Chef Pezzella has brought fresh, local ingredients to Watermark’s signature restaurant. Everything is homemade – from the stock to the bread. The kitchen also features a 654-degree open-hearth oven where he prepares Italian flatbreads, fresh branzino and roasted meats. His philosophy is that when you use the finest ingredients, you can keep a recipe simple and let the ingredients – like a beautiful piece of fish or cut of meat – stand on their own.

Pezzella has partnered with local suppliers to source fresh produce, seafood and even edible flowers. He has a herb garden onsite where he grows aromtics and gets fresh organic produce from Farmer Mike’s in Fort Myers and Inyoni Organic Farm in Naples

“Even if the recipe stays the same, when every ingredient is fresh and seasonal, the flavors will be different,” said Pezzella.

It’s something he learned from his grandmother, who he credits as his inspiration and mentor. In his grandmother’s kitchen, everything was homemade – from the bread and pasta to the the ricotta cheese and cured meats. This philosophy carried through to his family’s restaurant in Amalfi, where Pezzella started working at the age of 16.

He later moved to Sardinia, the first identified “Blue Zone,” where he worked at a hotel and honed his fine dining skills. Blue Zones are regions where people live measurably longer than the global average. In Sardinia, longevity is a result of the cuisine and family-centered lifestyle, among other things. While in Sardinia, Pezzella observed the role that family played in each meal. The father caught the fish, the mother tended to the garden and grew fresh vegetables and everyone cooked together.

“This was a very influential time in my life,” said Pezzella. “To experience this lifestyle and see how the Sardinians live, it was powerful. I’m grateful to bring this Blue Zone, Mediterranean lifestyle to Marco Island.”

Naples and Marco Island achieved Blue Zones Community® certification in 2022, and Executive Director of The Watermark at Marco Island Robyn Johnson hopes to achieve the certification at the senior living community.

For Chef Pezzella, senior living marries two of his passions – food and the older generation.

“I realized that my life’s work is to make people happy with food,” said Pezzella. “Food is very important for the body, and the good time you spend with friends and family while eating is priceless. When I work with seniors, I think of my mom, dad and grandma and how I love taking care of them with my food. This is why I cook.”

Chef Pezzella transitioned to senior living in 2020 after a full career in the restaurant industry. He has worked in restaurants in Miami and Naples and spent 10 years in Monte Carlo, France at Café de Paris Monte-Carlo – a historic restaurant on the Place du Casino, and the birthplace of the Crêpe Suzette.

But for Pezzella, the role at Watermark has helped him grow. Seeing the same guests three times a day, every day has pushed him to be creative and find new ways to incorporate fresh ingredients and create unique dishes. It’s a skill he believes will improve his chances of wimming a James Beard award.

About The Watermark at Marco Island

Located at 1170 San Marco Road, The Watermark at Marco Island is an 86-apartment assisted living and memory care community offering waterfront views, resort-style amenities, and enriching activities to seniors of Collier county. Owned and managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, The Watermark at Marco Island is committed to creating an extraordinary community where people thrive. For more information, visit www.watermarkmarcoisland.com.

About Watermark Retirement Communities®

Watermark Retirement Communities is a nationally recognized leader in senior living, managing communities across the United States with a commitment to innovation, well-being, and exceptional experiences. Watermark communities are distinguished by highly trained, compassionate associates, and a lifestyle built on choice, fine amenities, integrative wellness and innovative programs--including the award-winning Watermark University featuring a wide variety of engaging classes for residents and area seniors. Based in Tucson, Arizona, Watermark brings over 35 years of senior living experience and is known for exceptional service, a culture of inclusion and long-term financial stability. Visit watermarkcommunities.com to learn more.