The Gasparilla Inn Welcomes New Executive Chef

The Gasparilla Inn & Club is pleased to announce Gabriel Maldonado CEC, CCA as its new Executive Chef. Maldonado began his culinary career at a young age in his hometown of Mexico City before moving to the United States and earning top positions in the kitchens of several prestigious country clubs. Maldonado expanded his culinary education at The French Culinary Institute and earned the Certified Executive Chef and Certified Culinary Administrator designations from The American Culinary Federation. 

“We are thrilled to have Gabriel join us and share his culinary excellence and creativity with the guests of The Gasparilla Inn & Club,” said Jon Reecher, General Manager.  “We can already attest to his range of skills and ability to delight our guests with fresh variety on the menu, alongside impeccably prepared traditional favorites.” 

Maldonado was introduced to cooking at an early age, working in his parents’ restaurant in Mexico City. He came to the United States in 1995 to officially begin his career at the Piping Rock Country Club (Locust Valley, NY), where he quickly rose to the position of sous chef. Maldonado then served in the same role at The Meadow Brook Club (Long Island) before becoming executive chef at the Rockaway Hunting Club (Lawrence, NY). His next move took him to New Bern Golf and Country Club (New Bern, NC), where he expanded his knowledge of traditional southern cooking, before heading back north to take over as executive chef at The Nassau Country Club (Glen Cove, NY). Most recently, Maldonado built a team of culinary professionals at the esteemed Country Club of New Canaan (CT), “with a culinary vision that exceeded the high expectations of the club’s members and guests,” added Reecher. 
 
Maldonado has been recognized with 14 chef competition awards including the 2006 Member of the Year, 2012 Chef of the Year, and 2011 Chef Professionalism Award from The American Culinary Federation, Long Island Chapter. He has also been a part of the Augusta National Golf Club Culinary Team since 2011 and ran The Founders Room in one of the state-of-the-art kitchens for the Annual Masters Golf Tournament. 

For more information about The Gasparilla Inn & Club, please visit www.gasparillainn.com or call 800.996.1913.