This morning, Potawatomi Hotel & Casino announced that Chef Van Luu will run the kitchen at its new Locavore restaurant.

Chef Luu, whose cooking style is described as mainly French with a minimalist Asian approach, will be in charge of kitchen operations in Locavore, as well as hotel room service.

For the past 12 years, Chef Luu has been studying his culinary craft in several restaurants across the country, namely working alongside renowned chef Charlie Trotter. He learned from Trotter himself down in his Chicago restaurant and eventually moved to become Chef du Cuisine at Restaurant Charlie in Las Vegas. While there, the restaurant earned many awards, including a one-star Michelin rating.

He's also spent several years honing his craft here in Milwaukee, working as sous chef and chef at Lake Park Bistro and Bacchus, and helping to open Prodigal Gastropub last year as executive chef.

"We are thrilled to welcome a talent like Chef Luu to Locavore," said Don Sally, food and beverage director. "Chefs Luu’s exceptional culinary experience and fresh approach to cooking is a perfect match for our restaurant and guests."

"I’m looking forward to providing the best possible dining experience for guests," Luu said. "For me, there is no better reward than creating a thoughtful menu and watching guests react positively to the lively flavors and high-quality ingredients that blend together for a perfect meal."

In addition to naming Luu as Locavore's first chef, Potawatomi Hotel & Casino announced Yazmin Figueroa-Guzman as the new restaurant's manager. 

Locavore, located on the first floor of the new hotel lobby, opens on Monday, Aug. 18. The restaurant will be open daily from 6 until 10:30 a.m. for breakfast, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for lunch and from 5 until 10 p.m. for dinner service.