Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamal Sahler.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My culinary journey began in Morocco, where I grew up around farming and the food culture as the son of a Moroccan professor father and an fashion designer American mother. That blend of cultures have shaped my early connection to food, leading me to begin my professional career at just 14 years old in New York City.
Over the years, I have built a career spanning professional kitchens, specialty food markets, restaurants, and executive leadership. My experience includes serving as Culinary Manager at Whole Foods Market, Regional Executive Chef at Garden of Eden Marketplace, and Director of Culinary Operations at both Bread & Honey NYC and Dean’s Natural Food Markets. I also held leadership positions with Gourmet Garage, Union Market, Le Pain Quotidien, and Paris Baguette America, and spent time with brands such as Dean & Deluca, and Balduccis and later served as Managing Partner of Ground Connection Coffee Shops. And covid came.
I revived my career after covid and went on to become Director of Food and Beverage at Green’s Natural Foods (Formerly as Dean’s Natural Food), and held regional operations and food service director roles at Healthy Choice Markets. Today, I am the owner, chef, and Chief Executive Officer of Slow Food Group, the parent company that operates Village Mediterranean Grill restaurants. I bring together my culinary experience and operational leadership to uphold the company’s commitment to “Real Food with No Cut Corners.” without the corporate toxicity I have had experienced in my years in the industry leading up to my late roles. I am building something special.
I am Warren County, New Jersey, resident, a devoted husband and father of two. my story brings together Moroccan roots, American influences, and decades of experience in the food industry, with family at the heart of my life. Through Village Mediterranean Grill, I hope to bring my commitment to clean, farm-fresh ingredients and bold Mediterranean flavors to New Jersey diners, especially those in Hunterdon County, serving food prepared with care and a deep respect for the people gathered around the table. In many ways, my circle of life, love, and passion is finally is starting to form.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a rocky road when someone else is driving while texting. Starting in the food industry at 14 meant learning early that this business takes hard work, commitment, patience, and a willingness to keep growing while barely making ends meet. As my career moved from kitchens into management and eventually ownership, the responsibilities changed. Making great food is one part of the job; building a team, running a business, and delivering a consistent experience require just as much care.
One of the biggest challenges is staying true to your standards while managing the everyday pressures of the industry. Clean, farm-fresh ingredients and food made with care take time, effort, and resources. Finding the balance between quality, value for our guests, and a sustainable business is an ongoing responsibility.
Being a devoted husband and father of two also means working to balance the demands of the business with being present for my family. I’m still learning that balance. Those challenges have helped shape what I want Slow Food Group and Village Mediterranean Grill to stand for: honest food, thoughtful hospitality, and a commitment to the communities we serve in Hunterdon County.
As you know, we’re big fans of Slow Food Group DBA Village Mediterranean Grill. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Village Mediterranean Grill is about bringing people together over fresh, flavorful food and warm hospitality. We serve the Hunterdon County community through our restaurants in Flemington and Clinton, offering Mediterranean favorites for an everyday lunch, a family dinner, or a catered gathering.
Our menu includes gyros, chicken shawarma, falafel, hummus, Mediterranean bowls, and classics like moussaka and spanakopita. We offer dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering, with vegetarian options that make it easier for people with different preferences to enjoy a meal together.
What sets us apart is the personal connection behind the food. As the owner and chef, I bring my Moroccan upbringing, American influences, and years of culinary experience to the way we approach our menu and welcome our guests. Our guiding principle is simple: “Real Food with No Cut Corners.” That means a commitment to clean, farm-fresh ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and bold Mediterranean flavor.
What I’m most proud of is building a brand that reflects those values in everyday ways—in the care we put into a dish, the consistency we work toward, and how we treat the people who walk through our doors. We want our restaurants to become places our neighbors feel connected to and are happy to share with family and friends.
Above all, I want readers to know that Village Mediterranean Grill is personal to me. I am building our business here in New Jersey, serving our neighbors, and working to earn their trust one meal at a time.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Some of my favorite childhood memories are from growing up on a farm in Morocco. Being close to the land and seeing where food comes from gave me an appreciation for fresh ingredients that has stayed with me throughout my life.
Later, moving to the city opened up a different world. I studied karate and other martial arts, which became an important part of my childhood and taught me discipline, patience, and respect.
I look back fondly on both chapters—the connection to nature on the farm and the energy and discoveries of city life. Those experiences helped shape who I am today, both in and out of the kitchen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://villagemediterraneagrill.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/villagmediterraneangrill/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VillageMediterraneanGrill/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamal-sahler-2a73aa53/
