Kohler, Wisconsin, the Midwest’s premier luxury resort, is pleased to introduce Chef RJ Cooper, a James Beard Award winner, as its new Culinary Director. With a wealth of expertise in world-class culinary development, team mentorship, and resort restaurant operations, Chef Cooper will lead all aspects of food and beverage experiences at Kohler, Wisconsin.
As Culinary Director of Kohler, Wisconsin, Chef Cooper will oversee all food & beverage outlets throughout the destination including Immigrant Restaurant, The Wisconsin Room, The Horse & Plow, Tavern on Woodlake, Blackwolf Run Restaurant, Whistling Straits Restaurant, and River Wildlife Restaurant. Cooper will create innovative, new menus and dishes while managing a vibrant team to help execute flawless cuisine and five-star service.
“Growing up in the Midwest, I’ve always known Kohler as a luxury destination, so having an opportunity to lead the resort’s entire F&B operation, including the esteemed Immigrant Restaurant, is a dream come true,” said Chef RJ Cooper, Culinary Director at Kohler, Wisconsin. “I’m excited to hone the next chapter of culinary craft, quality, and elegance at Kohler and share new elevated food and beverage experiences for all our guests.”
With a focus on culinary excellence, innovation, seasonal ingredients, and regional flavors, Chef Cooper designed a new menu at Immigrant Restaurant centered on a chef-curated eight-course experience or five-course menu with options. All menus are accompanied by optional chefs’ or Immigrant reserve pairings offering guests a one-of-a-kind fine-dining experience rich in character and historic elegance.
About Chef RJ Cooper
With more than three decades of experience, Chef Cooper is a recipient of the prestigious James Beard Award, recognized in the category of Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic. Chef Cooper has held several prominent roles throughout his distinguished career including culinary and beverage director at the Forbes Five-Star, Wheatleigh Hotel. He also served as executive chef and owner of Saint Stephen and Acqua in Nashville and helmed the kitchens at Rogue 24, Vidalia, and Bistro Bis in Washington, D.C.
About Kohler, Wisconsin
The Kohler Co. Hospitality & Real Estate profile includes The American Club and world-renowned championship golf venues Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run. The Inn on Woodlake in the Village of Kohler is a three-diamond property, and LODGE KOHLER in Green Bay’s Titletown entertainment district is a four-diamond property. A sister property, the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa in St. Andrews, Scotland, is located at the birthplace of golf alongside the 17th fairway of the Road Hole – the most famous and difficult par-4 hole in golf.
Herb Kohler created Kohler Co.’s Hospitality & Real Estate Group with the reclamation of The American Club and then built world-renowned championship golf courses, The Straits and The Irish at Whistling Straits, The River and Meadow Valleys at Blackwolf Run, as well as the 10-hole, par-three Baths of Blackwolf Run. The Straits course has hosted three PGA Championships and the 43rd Ryder Cup in 2021. Kohler Waters Spa is the only five-star spa in Wisconsin and has four other locations in St. Andrews, Chicagoland, and Green Bay, Wis. The resort features 12 dining establishments from the remarkable Immigrant Restaurant and Winery Bar to pub fare at The Horse & Plow, to River Wildlife located in a forest next to the Sheboygan River, just outside Kohler.
The resort is located in the Village of Kohler, Wisconsin, one hour south of Green Bay, one hour north of Milwaukee and two and a half hours north of Chicago, just off of I-43.
