Blackberry Farm, the culinary and lodging destination in the Great Smoky Mountains has a new chef taking the helm of The Barn's kitchen.

Joseph Lenn, Executive Chef of the James Beard Award-winning restaurant The Barn, is stepping down from his role and chef Cassidee Dabney will be promoted.

Lenn led the James Beard Award winning restaurant as Executive Chef over the past five years.

"So many emotions come to the surface today. Joseph Lenn, an incredible person and exceptionally talented chef is moving on to fulfill his own culinary pursuits," said Blackberry Farm Proprietor Sam Beall.  "Joseph has helped drive our culinary experience to new levels, along the way bringing home a James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Southeast, an accolade that no Tennessee chef or restaurant had seen before."

Lenn plans to open his own restaurant in the Knoxville, Tennessee area. Bell and the Blackberry family are excited to see the new restaurant come to fruition.

Dabney has worked in the kitchens of Blackberry Farm for the past 10 years, in addition to a stint in Arkansas as sous chef of the Capital Hotel. Dabney will take over as Executive Chef of The Barn on April 2.

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