By Doris Freeman

Located in the small town of Mount Dora, Florida, is Waterman Village, an active retirement living community. The growing community features: high-end fitness facilities; luxurious, new homes; and weekly social activities. The recent addition of the Savor dining room in the community’s new waterfront section, Lakeside, adds service and fine dining to the growing list of services. 

All the dining venues in Waterman Village, managed by Sodexo North America, are offered to fit every occasion, from sophisticated dinners to casual lunches. At Savor, Sodexo chefs use locally sourced ingredients, including home-grown herbs and fresh-caught fish and seafood. Committed to flavor and quality, they creatively cater to all preferences and dietary requirements, including vegan and gluten-free options. The culinary team ensures menus stay fresh with healthy choices and modern recipes by creating new menus each week. 

“We want to provide residents a culinary journey,” says Joseph Lee, Sodexo executive chef. “Every time they dine at Savor, Sodexo provides an opportunity to experience a fine-dining menu with high-end service.” 

Sodexo’s food and guest service in the dining venues and at events make residents feel cared for. The company aims to end the stigma that senior community food is plain and strives to make sure residents are proud to bring their families and friends to dine at any of the venues. 

“The [Sodexo] staff does an outstanding job in the dining room every day,” says a Lakeside resident. “We really appreciate when they take time to make us feel so appreciated on special occasions and constantly make us smile. This community is truly a cut above.” 

In addition to daily meals in the dining venues, the Sodexo team puts together special events for residents to gather, celebrate and socialize. With themed-meal nights and special occasions, including birthdays, anniversaries and holidays, the team is always providing residents with a culinary experience. Waterman Village plans festivities for holidays, including a Veterans’ Day breakfast, an Oktoberfest party, a Fourth of July barbecue and Evenings of Elegance, where residents can dress up and enjoy live music and fine dining. In December, the community hosts Waterman Village Night of Lights, an annual driving lights spectacle to kick off the holiday season. 

In addition to specialty days, the Sodexo team coordinates weekly coffee socials and cocktail happy hours for residents to bond with their neighbors. Waterman Village includes educational and wellness events in their rotation of fun activities, including yoga, swimming classes and guest lectures. 

“It’s important to us that residents feel young, healthy and happy,” says Debbion Brown, food operations manager for Sodexo. “We always maintain a positive energy and provide a fun environment for residents to live their best lives.” 

While Waterman Village continues to expand, Sodexo will create more unique dining concepts to grow with the increase in residents. One of those concepts includes InReach, a 24/7 micro-market, stocked with healthy and freshly prepared grab-and-go items. Also coming soon to the community are two full bars, Pub Sports Bar and Brewer Bar, offering craft beers on tap and wood-fired pizza ovens. 

Waterman Village understands the importance of promoting an active community with its residents, offering innovative and modern solutions through world-class dining and facilities. The community partnering with Sodexo will continue to provide exceptional service to its residents, empowering them to live independent, healthy and active lifestyles. 

Doris Freeman is the Sodexo director of food and dietician services for Waterman Village in Mount Dora, Florida. Freeman works closely with the clinical nutrition team and registered dieticians to provide exceptional care and services to Waterman Village's residents.