PALM HARBOR, FL – [June 4, 2026] – St. Mark Village, a nonprofit Life Care community in Palm Harbor, is proud to announce that Chief Culinary Officer Huseyin Isguzar has been named a member of the DISHED Senior Living Dining Innovation Awards Class of 2026 in the Palate Pleaser category by Senior Housing News.
The prestigious recognition honors professionals across the senior living industry who are elevating the dining experience through innovation, creativity, and excellence in hospitality and culinary service.
“This recognition could not be more fitting for Huseyin,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Gorddard. “His dedication, talent, creativity, and commitment to excellence are evident in every meal he prepares and every experience he helps create for our residents and team members. He continually raises the bar and brings passion and heart into everything he does.”
Isguzar’s leadership and culinary vision have helped create a dining experience at St. Mark Village that prioritizes both exceptional cuisine and meaningful resident engagement. His passion for hospitality and innovation continues to make a lasting impact on residents, families, and fellow team members alike.
“When residents have allergies or high blood pressure, we meet with them and modify the menu. Our team is proud to say that within 10 years we have probably taken 18 to 20 residents off high blood pressure medicine,” said Isguzar. “We make nearly 90% of the food we serve from scratch so we know what goes in it, the residents know what goes in it, and we try to keep it as healthy as we can to prolong the lives of our residents – that’s very important to us.”
The DISHED Senior Living Dining Innovation Awards are presented annually by Senior Housing News and recognize individuals and organizations shaping the future of senior living dining and hospitality services. As part of the honor, Isguzar will also be recognized during the upcoming TRENDS Conference taking place August 4–6, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois.
For more information about the awards program, visit: DISHED Senior Living Dining Innovation Awards
To learn more about St. Mark Village, its full continuum of care, and the lifestyle it offers, visit stmarkvillage.org.
About St. Mark Village
Founded in 1977, St. Mark Village was established with a vision of supporting whole-person wellness—body, mind, and spirit. Today, the community serves more than 460 residents in Palm Harbor, Florida, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services within a comprehensive Life Care model. As a nonprofit organization, St. Mark Village remains dedicated to reinvesting in its community and delivering a deeply personal, mission-driven approach to senior living.
