Page 11 - Leisure Living Magazine May 2016

Chef in the Spotlight
Chef Chad of The Keys, Put-in-Bay
By JD Noll, Feature and Food Writer
With lots of Caribbean vibe and no expensive travel time, the place to decompress in an outdoor setting at Put-in-Bay is The Keys.
Located downtown near the Jet Express dock, the brightly colored dining and entertainment establishment with tropical décor is home to two restaurants and bars: Lola’s Key and Tortugas Rum Nation. Guests will also enjoy an expansive deck with fire pit nestled in an outdoor performance area with comfy Adirondack chairs. Water misters assure cool comfort in the heat of the summer and a delightful gift shop offers merchandise loved by both children and adults. Positioned on the bay, the location is perfect for taking in the panorama of Put-in-Bay harbor and experiencing a taste of Florida. “The Florida theme with Caribbean styled dishes really brings people in,” Chef Chad says.
Executive Chef Chad Overmier, who has been at The Keys since it opened five years ago, oversees all food operations. His responsibilities
include creating the menus, ordering inventory, scheduling and working with staff while supervising the “expo line” where the nod is given before food can be delivered to diners. “If I don’t approve, it’s sent back to be redone,” Chad emphasizes.
Chef Chad has been in the restaurant business for ten years, since graduating from Pittsburgh’s Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. He interned on Hilton Head at a Westin Resort, returning to Ohio to work at a Tiffin restaurant before landing at Put-in-Bay. Now, orchestrating the menus at both of The Keys dining areas, Chef Chad says each has a particular style. Lola’s Key features gourmet appetizers, salads and sandwiches with wings, pizza and open faced sandwiches being their hot sellers. Tortugas has
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Chef Chad Overmier of The Keys
FUN FACTS Chef Chad Overmier
• Hometown: Tiffin, OH
• Age: 36
• To relax he enjoys “sleeping in”
• Favorite music: 1960’s oldies
• Favorite college team/sport: Notre
Dame football
• Hobbies: corn hole, fishing, hiking and
traveling
• Friends describe him as a workaholic,
funny, caring, creative and polite
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