Meet the Experts at JKV: Ulas Gungor, Dining’s Dazzling Director, Certified Sommelier & Spirits Expert
One of the many things that sets John Knox Village apart from other senior communities is the level of experience and dedication you’ll find among our team members. We’d like to introduce you to one of them.
Meet Ulas Gungor, Food & Beverage Director, Level II Certified Sommelier and Spirits expert, and soon-to-be Florida State University Certified Dietitian Manager.
Since coming to JKV, Ulas’ enthusiasm and dedication to service and fresh cuisine have made him extremely popular and appreciated by residents and deeply respected by the staff.
Under his direction, the two additional dining destinations at JKV have opened with great success. Westlake, the new luxury apartment towers, has an amenity-filled first floor for all residents featuring BV’s French Press Coffee and Wine Bar and the Westlake Eatery, an open-air fast-casual restaurant with multiple stations serving made-from-scratch breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
Ulas can often be seen working and supporting his team at both new restaurants and the other 6 dining locations throughout the day.
Notably, when Ulas was learning about the higher care residences at JKV (Gardens West Assisted Living, The Woodlands, and Seaside Cove Skilled Nursing Center), he observed how the food was being prepared and immediately became motivated to enhance its quality.
With encouragement from JKV’s Chief Dietitian Beth Iserson, Ulas enrolled in classes at Florida State University to become a Certified Dietitian Manager, with only weeks to go until he graduates. According to Ulas, “I was inspired by how the food was being prepared in healthcare and know how important nutrition is for our most vulnerable residents. I’m excited to bring elevated ideas in dining to the healthcare settings, as well as to all the dining establishments at JKV.”
Ulas employs his sommelier and dining experience to host special tasting events for JKV residents, which always sell out very quickly. Recent sold-out events include a French-inspired Wine & Steak Dinner, Spirits Tasting & Food Pairing, and a Mediterranean Dinner & Wine Pairing.
Ulas states, “My passion is to take care of residents and give them unforgettable moments for many years to come. With wine pairings, special dinners, TED talks and so much more.”
Ulas is from Istanbul, Turkey, and at the age of 12, he began helping his mother cook. At age 16, he went to Cordon Bleu Istanbul and received his Sous Chef certificate. After moving to the U.S., he had an opportunity to work at Virginia Technical University as a catering and dining room manager while serendipitously receiving a free education in hotel and restaurant management. He then traveled throughout the United States to work in a variety of restaurants as a cook and server. It was then that he fell in love with wine. He proceeded to earn his Level II sommelier certificate from Northern Virginia Community College.
As an award-winning Life Plan Community in Pompano Beach, Florida, John Knox Village (JKV) is always looking for ways to be innovative and relevant for all residents. At the top of most residents’ lists when they are researching moving to a senior community is the quality and nutritional value of the food served. Thanks to the dedication of Ulas and his team, with their thoughtful menus and innovative, delicious dishes, JKV residents can experience fine dining without having to leave campus.
Get to know us and come see how Ulas and the rest of the JKV community are best-in-class.
We invite you to learn more and experience our breathtaking campus, astounding amenities, the exceptional team, and our remarkable residents who are all part of what makes JKV extraordinary. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a personal tour.
