shafie saba
General Manager
Shafie James Saba IV is the General Manager at Sawgrass Tavern, one of the standout restaurants operated by FMK Hospitality Group in The Villages, FL. Originally from West Palm Beach, Shafie brings over a decade of experience in the restaurant industry, having started his career as a host. His passion for hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences propelled him quickly through the ranks—from Front of House Manager to cross-training in the kitchen. Since joining FMK over a year ago, he has contributed to several key locations, including Bluefin, Taphouse, and now leads the team at Sawgrass Tavern.
At Sawgrass Tavern, Shafie takes pride in the everyday connections he forms with guests—whether it’s hosting a birthday party or simply chatting with a couple enjoying a glass of wine at the bar. His favorite part of the job is delivering genuine hospitality that leaves a lasting impression. Outside of work, Shafie enjoys exploring new foods, fishing any lake he can find, hiking the wilderness, and learning chess to sharpen his strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
gilbert perez
Culinary Manager
Originally from Groveland, FL, Gilbert Perez brings more than 20 years of restaurant industry experience to his role as Culinary Manager at Sawgrass Tavern. His career has included just about everything from cooking and bussing to front-of-house service, but the majority of his time was spent with Outback Steakhouse, where he worked for 16 years—first as an hourly line cook, then advancing into the Assistant Kitchen Manager role before serving as Kitchen Manager for 10 years.
Since joining FMK just two months ago as an AKM and now leading the kitchen at Sawgrass Tavern, Gilbert has valued FMK’s strong structure and commitment to success. A fan of brunch, he enjoys the breakfast menu most, while the guest-favorite turkey dinner holds a special place for him because of its warm, Thanksgiving feel. Known for his drive and positivity, Gilbert looks forward to continuing his growth with FMK while pursuing what brings him and his family joy.
