Lake Lanier Islands' Chef Rick Whorf Brings Something New to the Table

Buford, GA, August 03, 2011 --(PR.com)-- No stranger to the demands of serving a slew of discerning guests, Rick Whorf brings three decade’s worth of experience in the hospitality industry to his new role as Head Chef at Lake Lanier Islands Resort in Georgia. Having played the role of Banquet Chef and Saucier for the highly revered Hyatt Pittsburgh early in his career, rising to the ranks of Sous Chef for the esteemed Hyatt Regency Atlanta, and landing the challenging position of Garde Manger for the 3-diamond rated Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill make him the ideal fit for any luxury resort. The things that set Chef Rick apart, making him the ideal fit for Lake Lanier Islands Resort in particular, are his entrepreneurial spirit and understanding of the personal nature of a family business. Before donning his Chef’s toque blanche in the kitchen of this popular resort set on the shores of Lake Sidney Lanier in North Georgia, Chef Rick had left Hyatt’s well-scrubbed industrial kitchens in pursuit of a dream – the dream of owning his own restaurant. Over the course of the next two decades, he would do just that – serving as master chef and proprietor of not one, but four restaurants in Dahlonega, Georgia including Nature’s Cellar Café, Renee’s Café, French Kiss Restaurant & Bartini, and Rick’s Creative American Cuisine. As the economy took its toll on so many small business men and women during the past few years, Chef Rick made the difficult decision to shutter his doors and return to the business he enjoyed most – preparing excellent cuisine for a guaranteed steady stream of guests. His quest led him to Lake Lanier Islands Resort.

“What I appreciate most about Chef Rick – beyond his superb talent in the kitchen – is the fact that, as a former business owner, he understands the value of each visitor who passes through our gates and pulls up a chair to one of our tables,” explains Virgil Williams, Islands Management Company CEO and patriarch of the Williams’ family business which includes the lakeside Resort. “I believe our guests will be pleasantly surprised by the positive changes they will see – and taste – coming from the kitchens of each of our restaurants here at Lake Lanier Islands Resort as we seek to give them far more than just a meal. We want to provide them with no less than a dining experience.”

The Resort’s restaurants consist of Windows Restaurant and BullFrogs Bar & Grille, located in Legacy Lodge & Conference Center and open year-round. Seasonal restaurants – many new this year with the debut of LanierWorld, a boardwalk-themed entertainment district at the Resort – include Sunset Beach Café & Club, Gianni’s, Fire & Ice House, Dog & Draft House, the Tiki Hut, and The Islands Grill. Chef Rick will utilize his great love of food and his signature brand of controlled chaos in the kitchen to bring something new to the table for guests of Lake Lanier Islands Resort. “I hope to offer some fresh perspectives on the quality of food, service and training,” conveys the new Chef. “I would like to create an atmosphere in the kitchen where our hard work is fun while building self esteem. A good chef understands that they are only as good as the people who work for them and invest their time in training instead of primping their self-image.”

Having come from a large family who shared many meals around the dinner table, Chef Rick calls upon that experience with regard to his unique food philosophy. “I believe that eating a meal together helps to strengthen our bonds with the people we care about. When we share a meal it should be with good food and not be stuffy and stanch, but warm and friendly.” When asked how he plans to enhance the Lake Lanier Islands guest experience through dining, Chef answers simply, “The best way is to remember that we are here for the guest and we should be enjoying our work. It just so happens that I love my job and look forward to many happy years at Lake Lanier Islands Resort.”

To learn more about Lake Lanier Islands Resort and their special dining events or to make a reservation, please visit www.lakelanierislands.com or call (770) 945-8787.

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