Senior living community delivers fine dining experience to members

On any given Friday night, residents of Inlet Beach can enjoy a unique fine dining experience at The Mark, where Dining Services Director Charlie Cameron and Executive Chef David Green are preparing a fresh seasonal menu with locally-sourced ingredients. Cameron and Green have partnered with local vendors to secure the highest-quality meat, seafood and produce along 30A and create weekly menus based on the ingredients available to them.

They’ve been met with standing ovations after dinner service, and have regulars who poke their head back into their kitchen to bestow them with praise. Yet, getting a table at The Mark isn’t easy. The restaurant is located inside Watersound Fountains, an independent living community in Watersound Origins, and is open only to members and guests.

Watersound Fountains opened earlier this year and has welcomed local seniors to enjoy a resort-style lifestyle complete with fine dining at its four signature restaurants, high-end amenities including a pool and golf simulator, and regular outings in the community and beyond.

“We’re incredibly proud of the community we’ve created since welcoming our first residents in April,” said Melissa Adams, Executive Director of Watersound Fountains. “The food is one thing that sets us apart from other senior living communities and our Friday night dinners are one of our most popular seatings. Residents invite their family and friends and it’s become a special event that our members look forward to all week.”

Since opening the community, Cameron and Green have partnered with local suppliers Greg Abrams Seafood, Arrowhead Beef and City Produce. The Friday night menu is created from scratch each week and is typically centered around a theme or cuisine. The team has highlighted Italian, Peruvian, Japanese and Mexican food and has also featured a traditional carving station.

A recent menu featured smoked pork loin with gouda grits, broccollini with pancetta, braised leeks and apple gastrique, and shrimp scampi served on toast with smoked ricotta, slow roasted cherry tomatoes, remoulade and fresh herbs.

“I’ve worked in senior living for many years and we’ve always had to work with big food suppliers, where you’re at the mercy of what they can give you,” said Cameron. “At Watersound Fountains, we’re encouraged to build relationships with local vendors so we can serve fish caught in the Gulf that morning, or locally raised beef. It’s a big win for our members.”

Also unique to Watersound Fountains is a 654-degree open-hearth oven, where the team can create fresh Mediterranean-inspired dishes, flatbreads and more. The team has plans to add lamb meatballs and fresh fish cooked in a cast iron skillet to the menu. Eventually, there will be one team member dedicated to operating the oven and creating fresh menu items daily.

“We are really blessed with the dining services team that we have at the community,” said Adams. “Charlie and David are both classically trained chefs and bring a wealth of experience to our community. It means so much to us to see the same family members coming back each week for our Friday night dinners with their loved one. It speaks not only to the atmosphere we’ve created, but the food and service they can expect at our community.”

In addition to The Mark, Watersound Fountains serves freshly prepared food at the W Lounge, Central and the Gallery Café. The community also hosts special events, such as the recent Oktoberfest, that highlight global cuisine.

About Watersound Fountains

Located in Inlet Beach, Fla. Watersound Fountains is a 148-apartment independent living community located at 65 Origins Parkway. The community offers resort-style amenities including four unique dining venues, a fitness studio, salon and spa, wellness center, swimming pool, indoor golf simulator, and outdoor putting green. Residents also have access to award-winning programming through Watermark University. Managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, Watersound Fountains is committed to creating an extraordinary and innovative community where people thrive. A WATERSOUND℠ independent living community. A WATERMARK℠ managed independent living community. For more information, visit https://watersound.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.