Welcome Our Executive Chef! Born in Tallahassee, Florida, and raised in the coastal community of Alligator Point, Chef Withers developed a passion for food, hospitality, and Southern culture at an early age. Growing up in his family’s restaurant business, he began cooking professionally at just 13 years old, gaining hands-on experience in the kitchen while learning the importance of hospitality, hard work, and creating memorable dining experiences. While attending Leon High School, Chef Withers continued to refine his skills by working evenings at the well-known Silver Slipper Restaurant. Chef Withers went on to attend the prestigious Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, where he received formal culinary training rooted in classical techniques. During his education, he completed an internship at Walt Disney World and later pursued an apprenticeship in Dijon, France, further expanding his culinary knowledge and appreciation for refined European cuisine.
Following the completion of his formal education, Chef Withers built an impressive culinary career throughout the Southern United States. Over the years, he has worked in fine dining restaurants, luxury hotels, prestigious private clubs, and renowned quail hunting plantations. These experiences helped shape his signature culinary style, blending refined classical French techniques with deep Southern roots and a true farm to table philosophy inspired by the Gulf Coast and Lowcountry traditions he grew up with.
Chef Withers is a proud member of the American Culinary Federation and holds the distinguished Certified Executive Chef (CEC) certification. He is also an honorary fellow of the American Academy of Chefs (AAC). Dedicated to continuous learning and innovation, he has traveled extensively to some of the world’s most celebrated food and wine destinations across Europe and the Americas, constantly expanding his culinary perspective and inspiration. For more than 30 years, Chef Withers has built a respected reputation throughout the Carolinas, serving at highly regarded clubs and communities including Chattooga Club, Highlands Country Club, and most recently Brays Island Plantation, where he served as Executive Chef and led an acclaimed culinary program centered around Southern hospitality, fresh local ingredients, and elevated dining experiences. Now returning home to Tallahassee, Chef Withers is excited to bring his decades of culinary and hospitality experience to Killearn Club. Passionate about the Club’s vision and future, he is committed to delivering an exceptional dining and hospitality experience unlike anything Tallahassee has seen before. He looks forward to creating memorable experiences for members and establishing the Club’s restaurant as their first choice for outstanding cuisine, warm hospitality, and community connection.