Back in February, we told you that HospitalityMaine named the Bar Harbor Inn's Executive Chef Louis Kiefer Jr. the Chef of the Year for 2020. However, because of the pandemic, it wasn't until October that Chef Lou received his trophy!

In a fitting tribute, Chef Lou is lauded as a teacher, and mentor. Chef Lou said

Training and teaching and mentoring, it's all about driving success. And success can come in different levels, and I love to see success.

He talks about the challenges of 2020.

Jeremy Dougherty, the General Manager of the Bar Harbor Inn had this to say about Chef Kiefer winning the award back in February

“Chef Lou has long since established himself as one of the hardest working Chef’s in the business.  His dedication to the Reading Room and Terrace Grille restaurants over the last 20 plus years has been nothing short of remarkable.  Each season brings new challenges and the same high intensity, and Chef Lou always has set the tone for the entire season with his professionalism and passion for food.  Chef Lou matches his dedication to the Bar Harbor Inn with his passion for teaching young culinarians the trade and watching them blossom over the course of the season and beyond.  We’re fortunate to have him at the helm of our Food and Beverage program here at the Bar Harbor Inn and proud of him in winning this award.”

Kiefer has been the Executive Chef of the Bar Harbor Inn for 21 years. He is  a graduate of  A.I. Prince Technical Institute and Johnson and Wales University. He is a member of the ACF Northern Maine Chapter.

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