Reynolds Lake Oconee is proud to announce the addition of two new Chef de Cuisines, Zouhair Bellout at The Creek Club and Matt Mimbs at The National Tavern.
Zouhair Bellout was born in Morocco and lived there for 25 years. He attended the Institut de Technologie Hoteliere et Touristique in Morocco where he received his Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts in 2005.
Bellout began his culinary career in Morocco in 2005 training as an intern at Hotel La Mamounia. He moved to the United States in 2006 and has held many different culinary roles since. Some include, Lead Line Cook for Disney at the Marrakesh in Epcot Center, Orlando, Lead Banquet Cook at Lowes Portofino Bay Hotel, Banquet Chef at The Ritz Carlton in Sarasota, Florida, and Executive Sous Chef at Keswick Hall and Golf Club in Charlottesville, Virginia.
In March of 2013, Bellout was honored with an invitation to cook at James Beard House. The mission of the James Beard Foundation is to celebrate, nurture, and preserve America’s culinary heritage and future.
When he is not working, Bellout enjoys fishing and spending time with his fiancé.
Matt Mimbs was born and raised in Sandersville, Georgia and attended Georgia Southern College on an Academic Scholarship.
Since the age of 15, Mimbs has worked in restaurants and always enjoyed it. A mentor of his encouraged his interest in culinary arts and pushed him to pursue culinary education. In 2008, Mimbs graduated with an Associate’s Degree from Le Cordon Bleu.
Before joining Reynolds last fall as the Sous Chef at The National Tavern, Mimbs worked as the Executive Chef at Blueberry Plantation in Alma, Georgia and held several culinary positions at The Ritz Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee.
In his spare time, Mimbs enjoys watching movies or spending time with his son, Connor, and his two sisters.
“I am excited to have Zouhair and Matt on our culinary team,” says Derin Moore, Executive Chef at Reynolds Lake Oconee. “ It is always our goal to continually enhance the overall dining experience for our members and guests. With their talents, I am confident Zouhair and Matt will do just that.”
