The AAA Four-Diamond Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center, located in the picturesque Ozark Mountains overlooking pristine Table Rock Lake in Southwest Missouri, named Chef Paul Trout its Executive Chef. The announcement was made by the resort’s Vice President and General Manager Stephen Marshall.

In his new position Chef Trout is responsible for overseeing all culinary operations at the resort, which boasts one of the largest convention centers in Missouri, with 43,500 square feet of flexible meeting space all on one level, with the ability to host groups from 10 to 3,000. He also oversees the food at the resort’s dining venues, which includes the award-winning Chateau Grille, the Downstairs Deli, the Atrium Café & Wine Bar, and The Sweet Shoppe, as well as in-room dining. Widely considered one of the finest resorts in the Midwest, the 301-room resort has received the coveted AAA Four Diamond Award for 18 consecutive years, and is the only hotel or resort in Branson to hold the prestigious rating in 2016.

Prior to his promotion, Chef Trout served as the resort’s Executive Sous Chef since 2011, where he handled all kitchen operations in the absence of the Executive Chef. In that position, he created menus and recipes for the resort’s restaurants, banquets, and winemaker dinners. He has been very instrumental in the quality and creativity of the resort’s food over the last several years, which enabled the hotel to receive such honors as 417 Magazine’s “2016 Readers’ Choice Award” as one of the “5 Best Branson Restaurants” in 2016.

Prior to working at the resort Chef Trout served as Sous Chef and Banquet Chef for Tapas Downtown in Redding, California; Chef for The Shasta Experience, a catering business in Redding, California; and for the U.S. Air Force as Field Technician for the Electro-Mechanical Team Section of the 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron. A Certified Fire Fighter, his diverse experience also includes serving as a firefighter for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa’s dining options include the award-winning Chateau Grille, known for its elegant presentation and exceptional cuisine. Casual fare options include:  the Downstairs Deli (seasonal), serving bistro-style sandwiches, hand-made pizza, and “to go” box lunches; Atrium Café & Wine Bar, located in the lobby beside an indoor waterfall and stream; and The Sweet Shoppe, offering ice cream, baked goods, candies, and specialty coffees.

“Chef Paul is an outstanding and very talented chef, and we are so pleased that he is now overseeing the culinary offerings at Chateau on the Lake,” says Marshall. “He has been instrumental in bringing our food offerings to an even higher level, and our guests and groups will love his truly delicious, creative and beautifully presented cuisine.”

Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center is known for its breathtaking vistas of Table Rock Lake, lush gardens, and surrounding mountains. In addition to its impressive setting, the resort offers an array of recreational options, award-winning service, and a location convenient to the diverse entertainment offerings of popular Branson.

Not resting on its many laurels, the resort completed the renovation of its 301 guest rooms and suites, and the renovation of all of its smaller meeting rooms, in January 2015. In addition, in January 2015 the resort added a new Executive Board Room with state-of-the-art A/V and technology capabilities, and enhanced all of its meeting space (including its 32,000-square-foot Great Hall ballroom) with new LED lighting, new flex-back banquet chairs, and new “linenless” meeting tables.

The resort’s guest rooms and suites feature Serta Perfect Sleeper plush mattresses, elegant cherry wood headboards, custom-made toppers with down insert, two types of fluffy king-size pillows, and 300 thread-count sateen sheets. In addition, guest rooms and suites have granite-top desks and bedside tables, as well as beautiful window treatments, custom-made shower curtains, Gilchrist & Soames bathroom amenities, and two desk and bedside phones. Guest rooms and suites feature a color scheme with rich tones of brown, beige and yellow.

In addition, the resort’s spacious guest rooms and suites feature tiled stone baths, 37-inch flat-screen HD televisions, dual-line telephones, Free Wi-Fi, iron and ironing board, Keurig coffee maker featuring Green Mountain Coffee made from Central American and Indonesian beans, in-room safes, and in-room on-demand movies (at a nominal fee).

The resort offers 20 meeting rooms, including the 32,000-square-foot Great Hall, and three corporate board rooms in addition to the Executive Board Room. The resort also features a private 54-seat theater for special presentations, high-speed Internet access in all meeting rooms, a 24-hour business center, on-site Audio/Visual service with state-of-the-art A/V equipment and technology, complimentary Wi-Fi in pre-convene areas, and outstanding banquet and catering services.

The resort’s impressive array of recreational options includes the exceptional 14,000-square-foot Spa Chateau. The full-service European-style spa offers 10 treatment rooms; customized body treatments; a soothing Infinity Tub that is filled from the ceiling; an opulent outdoor Roman Bath situated beneath a waterfall overlooking Table Rock Lake; and a hair salon.

Other recreational options at the resort include the full-service Chateau Marina (open seasonally), offering an assortment of boat rentals, such as pontoons, ski boats, wave runners, and sea kayaks. Parasailing, catamaran and guided fishing excursions, scuba diving, and snorkeling, are among the many other available options.

In addition, the resort features a 24/7 fitness center, two lighted tennis courts, a 24/7 year-round indoor pool and hot tub (adults only after 10 p.m.), an outdoor (seasonal) hot tub and pool, hiking and biking trails, an indoor video theater, 24-hour business center, the Crawdaddies Kids Club (seasonal) for children ages 4-12, and full-service concierge. Golf at six area courses, which includes two of Missouri’s finest, also is available to groups and guests.

Described as the “Live Music Show Capital of America,” Branson features more than 80 live shows per day during the season and a variety of impressive attractions. Among the recreational options in Branson are the popular Silver Dollar City, and the acclaimed Titanic Museum Attraction. Other offerings include The Branson Landing in the heart of downtown Branson on Lake Taneycomo, just one block away from historic downtown, which features festivals, musical events, a variety of waterfront dining options, and 400,000 sq. ft. of shops, boutiques, galleries and specialty gift shops.

Additional features at the resort include an impressive 10-story sky-lit atrium that has meandering streams brimming with colorful Koi fish, plus a charming library lounge with a great stone fireplace.

Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center is owned and managed by Springfield, Missouri-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts.