Wilbur Mitcham
Wilbur “Chef” Mitcham
Born(1923-12-10)December 10, 1923
DiedJune 15, 2003(2003-06-15) (aged 79)
Georgia, U.S.
SpouseAnnie Mae Leonard Mitcham
Culinary career
Previous restaurant(s)
    • Len Berg's (1943–2003)
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchU.S. Army

Wilbur Mitcham (December 10, 1923 - June 15, 2003) was an American chef.

Early life

Mitcham briefly served in the U.S. Army as a field artilleryman during World War II but was medically discharged due to health reasons. Upon his discharge from the Army he went to New York City. In New York, he studied cooking under an Asian chef.

Career

Mitcham returned to Macon and landed a position as a short order cook with Len Berg's Restaurant in 1943. "Chef", as he was so affectionately known by his constituents and friends, served as the senior chef cook of Len Berg's Restaurant for over 60 years until he took ill.[1][2][3] He cooked for Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Joe Dimaggio.

Personal life

Mitcham was married for over 60 years to Annie Mae Leonard. He died on Father's Day 2003.

Mitcham is featured in the book “Remembering Len Berg's Restaurant”. He Fathered and raised 13 children. He was the father of Samaria (Mitcham) Bailey and “The Gay Preacher’s Wife” author Lydia Meredith and is featured in her book.

Further reading

  • Campbell, Will D. (1995). The Stem of Jesse: The Costs of Community at a 1960s Southern School. Macon, Ga.: Mercer University Press. pp. ix, 212 pp 110–111; 24 cm.. ISBN 0865544492. Miller, p. 111.

References

  1. ↑ "RING THE BELL LEN BERG'S COOK SHOWS HIS LOVE WITH EVERY MEAL HE PREPARES". 17 January 1998. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
  2. ↑ "LEN BERG'S DAMAGED BY FIRE". 11 August 1998. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
  3. ↑ "Len Bergs in Macon Remembered". 10 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
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