Senior living community opens unique Mediterranean dining experience

The Glades at ChampionsGate, a senior living community in Osceola County, is elevating its dining experience with the opening of Taboon – a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant centered around a 654-degree open-hearth oven. The community unveiled the concept earlier this month.

“We are so excited to invite our residents to Taboon, where they can enjoy the sights and sounds of their fresh, healthy meal being prepared right in front of them,” said Dan Guanio, executive director of The Glades at ChampionsGate. “Our residents lead active, healthy lifestyles and many enjoy eating fresh fish and quinoa bowls on a regular basis. Taboon will provide a new and exciting way for them to enjoy these foods and support residents as they pursue a healthy, enriching life.”

Named for its open-hearth bread oven, Taboon focuses on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors and seeks to embody the ideals of healthy Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on clean, fresh foods. The menu showcases locally sourced vegetables, sustainable seafood, and free-range poultry with menu items such as Mediterranean grouper, roast stuffed chicken breast, Italian flatbreads and small bites.

According to a 2023 study in the medical journal BMC Medicine, a diet that is rich in seafood, fruit, vegetables, nuts and olive oil – like the Mediterranean diet – may lower the risk of dementia. In an analysis of more than 60,000 seniors, researchers found that following a Mediterranean diet reduces a person’s likelihood of developing dementia by nearly one quarter, even among those with genes that put them at a greater risk.

Watermark Retirement Communities, which manages The Glades at ChampionsGate, places a unique focus on whole-person wellness and healthy aging. The top-10 senior housing provider is known for its unparalleled approach to whole-person wellness with signature programs like 360Well®, which helps residents develop, manage, and implement comprehensive health, fitness, and wellness programs.

At Watermark, all activities, amenities, services and care are rooted in the four interconnected circles of wellness: mind, body, spirit, and community. In addition to providing fresh, healthy meals, Taboon will serve as the venue for hands-on cooking classes and resident events.

"We believe that dining is more than just a meal; it's an experience," said James Bain, Regional Director of Dining Services with Watermark Retirement Communities. "Our 654-degree open-hearth oven is more than a cooking tool; it's a statement of our commitment to authenticity and quality. At Taboon, we want our guests to not just taste but feel the Mediterranean culture in every bite."

Watermark Retirement Communities is rolling out Taboon at communities across the nation. The Glades is the first community in central Florida to open Taboon.

About The Glades at ChampionsGate

Located in ChampionsGate, Fla., The Glades at Champions Gate is a 223-apartment independent, assisted living and memory care community located at 8400 Champions Gate Blvd. Amenities include a fitness center, movie theater, swimming pool, and four unique dining venues, as well as award-winning programming through Watermark University. Managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, The Glades at ChampionsGate is committed to creating an extraordinary and innovative community where people thrive. For more information, visit https://championsgate.watermarkcommunities.com.

About Watermark Retirement Communities®

Watermark creates extraordinary and innovative communities where people thrive. We believe aging is about renewal rather than retirement. Watermark communities are known for highly trained and caring associates, 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. Watermark has been named in the top 25 Best Workplaces for Aging Services™ in a national program conducted by the Great Place to Work® Institute and published on Fortune.com. Based in Tucson AZ, Watermark is a privately held company with a reputation for more than 30 years for service, innovation, integrity and financial stability, and manages senior living communities across the United States. Visit watermarkcommunities.com to learn more.