Former Executive Sous Chef to Lead Western N.C. Club’s Culinary Charge in 2021
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. – Champion Hills, Hendersonville’s premier golf community and home to Tom Fazio’s seminal mountain masterpiece, announces that Blake Johnson has been promoted to executive chef.
A native of Henderson County with deep ties to the area, Johnson joined Champion Hills in 2018 and was quickly promoted to executive sous chef. His background includes a compelling blend of club, hotel and restaurant experiences.
Johnson was a sous chef at Hilton Hotels and Resorts, the executive sous chef at storied Biltmore Forest Country Club and worked in the Founder’s Room kitchen in the main clubhouse at Augusta National during The Masters.
“Blake has been our interim executive chef for several months and his leadership, creativity and dedication to our members during that period has been exemplary,” says Champion Hills General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Dana Schultz. “His promotion ensures the club will not only continue but also enhance, its food, beverage and culinary programming.”
Johnson is a graduate of Asheville-Buncombe Technical County Community College’s award-winning and nationally recognized culinary program. He cut his teeth locally at fine dining establishments like Season’s at Highland Lake, Black Rose Public House and West First Wood-Fired, where he forged strong relationships with local food purveyors and honed his approach using fresh ingredients.
“Our commitment to providing members with an array of culinary options, ranging from world-class cuisine and accessible comfort food to a variety of healthy menu items, is unwavering,” Johnson says. “I’m excited and honored to lead our amazing culinary team forward in 2021.”
Champion Hills’ clubhouse is anchored by the Mountain View Room, offering fine dining overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Fazio Pub, a convivial gathering place for casual dining and camaraderie. Recently reimagined by the Design Gallery, the Fazio Pub was updated with new finishes, fixtures, furniture and a wine room with community feasting table. Two new bars were created, one for martinis and the other a sports bar with flat-screen TVs and local craft beers on tap.
About Champion Hills
Champion Hills is a private boutique club in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just above Hendersonville and 30 minutes from Asheville. Champion Hills is managed by Troon Privé, the private club operations division of Troon, the world’s largest golf management company. At Champion Hills, residents enjoy the perfect balance: a relaxed lifestyle that offers golf, tennis and much more.
All surrounded by the recreation, entertainment and culture of western North Carolina. Unlike many private, seasonal, mountain communities, Champion Hills offers year-round golf, activities, and casual and fine dining options. And since 2013, property ownership is no longer a requirement for Champion Hills membership. For more information, visit www.championhills.com or call (828) 696-1962.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf management company providing services at 585-plus locations around the globe, including managing 630-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages more than 490-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. With properties located in 40-plus states and 30-plus countries, Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Honours Golf, OB Sports, Indigo Golf Partners, CADDIEMASTER, True Club Solutions, Cliff Drysdale Tennis and RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design. Troon-affiliated properties include Princeville Makai Golf Club on Kauai; Champion Hills in Hendersonville, North Carolina; Ocean Club in Paradise Island, Bahamas; and Vattanac Golf Resort in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com, or connect with Troon on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Troon Chronicles, Press Room, or subscribe to Troon Magazine.
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Rob Myers
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