Gaston Merideth is a United States Coast Guard Veteran Culinary Specialist and Founder/CEO of Gaston’s Culinary Services, one of Tampa’s most highly recognized and sought after catering companies. Top 10 Catering Companies as recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal 2017, Tampa Bay Times Catering Company of the Year 2018, and Top 5% Caterers in the Nation by Wedding Wire five times over, most recently in 2023. Additionally, Gaston crafter of Chef G’s Florida BarBQ Sauces.

Chef Gaston is an award-winning Certified Executive Chef (CEC). His experience as a Chef and Food Service Director includes Universal Studios Orlando, Eurest, HMS, SRQ. Gaston’s completed food service training through the Coast Guard Culinary School, Advance Gourmet Cooking at St. Clair County Community College, advance culinary classes through the Culinary Institute of America, Spartan’s Technical College for Restaurant Management, Florida Atlantic University – Hospitality and Tourism Management, North Carolina State University – Acidified Food Manufacturing School. He is a former Instructor of Culinary Arts at Manatee Technical College and a Worldchefs Certified Executive Chef (WCEC).

Gaston’s is a leader in the industry and has received several awards and recognition, including Chef of the Year for Restaurants Guide International 2023, Chef of the Year 2020, and Member of the Year 2022, American Culinary Federation Tampa Bay 2020.

As a top chef, Gaston's media appearances include ABC, CTN 22, The List, The Good Life Tampa Bay, Restaurant Magazine, Sam’s Club Food Service Magazine, the Chicago Times, and one of his most notable appearances, Reality TV Show the Keynote Mansion Chef.

In addition, Gaston recognizes the importance of giving back to the community. He has served as a 20-year Board Member for the Selective Services System and participated in helping train Junior Culinarians at the U.S. Coast Guard Culinary Special Symposium Training at Air Station Clearwater. He also serves on the Board of the American Culinary Federation Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Chamber, and actively volunteer in several local public schools and organizations including CEOs in Schools, Dream Center, Mango Elementary, King High School and The Chapel Mango.

Gaston and his wife Kathy have been married for over 25 years and have one son. He also makes it a priority to stay both physically and mentally fit and participates in 5ks, reads inspirational books, mentors fellow entrepreneurs, and while traveling, they always search out the “hole in the wall” food joints to experience the true local flair.