Your Hosts

Johnny Mitchell, Executive Chef

Johnny may well be the most authentic Southern cook you’ll ever meet. He was initially tutored in the culinary arts by his Aunt Bea, whose downtown Atlanta restaurant was a landmark for many years.

For twenty years everyone who tasted Johnny’s hickory smoked barbecue told him he should open a restaurant, and The Dining Room at Lake Arrowhead is the realization of that dream.

His nationally recognized competition barbecue team and respect for the traditional foods of the South are only a part of his culinary resume however. Johnny is a versatile chef equally able to prepare haute cuisine as he is low country fare, endowing each dish with his passion for great food.

Jill Mitchell, General Manager

Jill is a native of California’s San Joaquin Valley, a region that provides some of the world’s finest produce. Her understanding of how quality and freshness of ingredients matter in the thoughtful creation of imaginative dishes is invaluable in the crafting of the restaurant’s menu.

In addition to managing the daily operation of the restaurant, Jill’s expertise in wine has enabled The Dining Room to assemble an impressive cellar sure to satisfy the most sophisticated wine enthusiast. The special Wine Pairing Dinners, where guests are treated to courses carefully matched with appropriate wines to produce a splendid culinary experience is the result of her continual research and skill as a Sommelier.