Chef JB and Chef Joe

Chef JB

John Belechak has been dedicated to the culinary pursuits more than 30 years. His experience and training have helped both Blackberry Farm and The Lodge at Sea Island earn five-star/five diamond awards. 

Chef JB studied under Bob Kinkead and Ris La Coste at 21 Federal in Washington DC. before joining Jamie Adams and John Carver for the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group at Veni Vidi Vici and Pricci’s. Then came a partnership with Chef John Fleer at Blackberry Farm, where the Inn consistently ranked as one of the country’s top small hotels and three invitations to be featured in the James Beard House Foundation.

After arriving in coastal Georgia, Chef JB helped launch The Lodge at Sea Island before moving to The Cloister and Sea Island Resorts.

He was also part of the culinary team for the G-8 International Summit in 2004.

Chef Joe

A St. Simons Island local, Chef Joe has been working in the food and beverage industry for over 20 years.  He served as Sous Chef and Regional Trainer for the Copeland’s Restaurant Group in Washington, DC and then moved back to Georgia working in hotels and restaurants in the Savannah area including The Bohemian where he studied under Chef Zachary Martin and reignited his desire to pursue his love of culinary arts rather than focusing on hospitality management.  He continued working for The Kessler Collection Hotel Group as Chef at The Castle Hotel in Orlando, Florida.

Chef Joe is committed to continuing to serve the creative breakfast dishes that Palmer’s Café is known for and to bringing more dishes featuring fresh local seafood to the lunch and dinner menus.

Both Chef's cultivate a love for teaching and helping people in the community.