The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, a MMI Hotel Group property in Georgia, has announced the appointment of Thomas Cook as Executive Chef.

Cook will be responsible for overseeing menus for the signature restaurant Echo, as well as other culinary outlets at the property. His arrival marks the unveiling of a new menu at Echo, featuring additional seafood and vegetarian dishes along with old favorites.

Cook’s culinary career began in a bakery in the suburbs of Chicago at the age of 15. He moved to Florida to attend the American Culinary Academy and fell in love with the culinary scene and recipes found on the coast. Later at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, he discovered his passion for seafood and sourcing local products.

Prior to joining The King and Prince, Cook worked in some of the most prominent kitchens on the Los Angeles restaurant scene, including a stint at award-winning Campanile working alongside Executive Chef and Owner Mark Peel. Leaving the west coast with a wealth of knowledge and experience, Cook moved back east and was named Executive Chef at Trattoria ll Mulino at Hilton Nashville Downtown, overseeing a multitude of culinary outlets associated with the property.

At The King and Prince and Echo, Cook will bring his passion for coastal southern flavour and exceptional experience to the forefront. A newcomer to St. Simons Island, the chef has already cultivated a fondness for the laid-back lifestyle of the Golden Isles. “I really appreciate and revere the history of the resort,” comments Cook. “My culinary vision here is to reinvent the classics, respectfully nodding to the past but elevating the resort’s offerings ever so slightly.”

Weaving together multiple cuisines, Cook has curated and debuted a new menu for the resort’s signature restaurant, Echo. New options include a sushi-grade Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna appetiser, Wild Georgia Shrimp Tacos, and a Grilled Vegetable Focaccia. Meanwhile, Echo regulars will be happy to find that traditional dishes like the Pimento Cheese Hummus, the popular Pot Roast and low country style Shrimp and Grits are still on the menu.

“We’re thrilled to have Chef Tom join the King and Prince family. He’s a talented chef with an impressive culinary background,” comments Bart Johnson, General Manager of The King and Prince.