Chef William Clavell of The Windsor of Ocala Wins Florida Senior Living Association Chef Competition

July 25th, 2019 | Company News


To provide the best possible experience for its residents, Legend Senior Living® believes in the philosophy of hiring the best employees, from its executives to its caregivers to its chefs. This became readily apparent at Florida Senior Living Association Annual Conference when Chef William Clavell won the Chef Competition July 17.

“This is a great testament to our chefs,” said Melissa Bossert, Area Director of Operations - North Florida for Legend Senior Living. “Their creativity and attention to detail inspires amazing food and presentation, which is key to the overall Gold Leaf Dining experience.”

Chef William won the competition with his dish of spinach and apple roulade topped with garlic chantilly with the side of tournè fingerling potatoes, ginger glazed carrots and secret ingredient apple and corn chutney.

Six outstanding chefs from Florida senior living residences competed against each other to win the competition for best entrée. Each chef had five minutes to explore the pantry and create their menus, followed by 40 minutes of cooking at their stations. Once they completed cooking their dish, they plated the dishes and turned it over to the judges.

The grand prize is a membership to the American Culinary Federation and having his featured dish served at the FSLA luncheon the following day.

Chef William’s passion for cooking began when he was 13, working with his family in their bakery. He trained at ICPR Junior College and Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando. His career path includes working at Costa International Cuisine in Puerto Rico, Raglan Road Irish Pub under the tutelage of Master Chef Kevin Dundon, and at Bongos Cuban Café, both of which are located at Disney Springs.

Chef William has worked for The Windsor for four years. One of the unique signature dishes he prepares at The Windsor is an open face Bahamian BBQ brisket with pomegranate, daikon, radish, and red cabbage coleslaw.

“Chef William serves with passion, love, and dedication,” Bossert said. “He works with his residents to create memorable meals that they request. The residents truly enjoy his passion for food and his delicious menus.”

The Windsor of Ocala is dedicated to providing the highest levels of personal service and a warm, comfortable, and actively social environment to enrich its residents' lives. It celebrates their unique personalities and lifestyles with services designed especially for their individual needs, so they will thrive in an environment of friendship, family and robust support that values and respects residents' privacy, dignity, and independence.