Chef Xavier Duclos

Gulf Coast Village welcomes Duclos as executive chef

Gulf Coast Village this week announced the hiring of seasoned professional chef Xavier Duclos to the role of executive chef for the senior living community in Cape Coral. As executive chef, Duclos is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of dining services at Gulf Coast Village.

Duclos brings more than 30 years of culinary experience at highly-acclaimed restaurants across the U.S. and parts of Southern France. After completing his apprenticeship in Bordeaux, France, Duclos moved to New York City to work in the 4-star restaurant La Cote Basque. He continued honing his skills with culinary opportunities across the country, serving stints as a restaurant chef for renowned places such as the Peppercorn Duck Club at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri; Bistro Du Nord in New York City; Celebrated Food in Maplewood, New Jersey; as well as working for one of America’s most accomplished culinary professionals, master chef Harmut Handke, at Handke’s Cuisine in Columbus, Ohio.

Duclos decided to sharpen his skills in Southwest Florida in 2003, where he was quickly promoted from sous chef to executive chef at Bonita Bay Club, overseeing all operations of the kitchen, staff and cuisine. Following his executive role, the chef moved on to operate Mad Fresh Bistro in Fort Myers. From 2011 to 2016, Duclos took on the role of executive sous chef at Stone Bridge Country Club in Naples, while helping improve and strengthen the culinary program to meet higher standards of excellence.

Founded in 1989, Gulf Coast Village is a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Cape Coral. The community offers a full continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, specialized memory support, skilled nursing, home health, rehabilitation services and Senior Choice at Home, a continuing care at home program. Gulf Coast Village is located at 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral. For more information, call 239-772-1333 or visit GulfCoastVillage.com.

Donna Lopez and Julie Parker

Mockingbird Home Watch earns accreditation

Mockingbird Home Watch has earned accreditation from the National Home Watch Association. The NHWA was formed in 2009 in order to establish and maintain the highest industry standards for Home Watch and absentee homeowner services throughout the United States and Canada.

Home Watch is a visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues, which means that it is a service that “keeps an eye on things” at your vacation or primary home while you are not in residence.

Sisters and co-owners Donna Lopez and Julie Parker relocated to Florida from Massachusetts in 2011. Since moving to Florida, they have provided Home Watch services for friends and neighbors. They also enjoy traveling and know the importance of leaving an unoccupied home in good hands.

Seeing a need in the community for professional Home Watch services, Lopez and Parker turned their passion for helping others into a business.

Mockingbird Home Watch serves the Greater Pine Island area, including Matlacha, St. James City and Bokeelia, as well as Cape Coral. Contact them at 239-674-6112 or at info@mockingbirdhomewatchllc.com. You can also visit thecompanahy website at www.mockingbirdhomewatch.com.