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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Ottumwa’s Bridge View Center has a new executive chef, and they didn’t have to look far for their candidate.

Chef Adam McKinney is from Ottumwa and has a wealth of experience; from working from two of the largest resorts in Las Vegas, The Bellagio and the MGM Grand, to working at the Oskaloosa Country Club, McKinney has done it all.

McKinney told KTVO that he is excited to be in his home town of Ottumwa, and that this is the place where he wants to focus his career going forward.

“I wanted to raise my son here, and this is the place where I grew up and I want my kids to grow up where I was raised; and so I am a very family oriented person and I prefer the small town hometown feeling to the big city. You know 24 hours is nice, but it is also nice to watch things sleep. I like the sleepy little towns in the winter time, I miss winter believe it or not, I am glad I missed the summer here, because I heard it was horrible, but as far as winters go, I like the winters here in Iowa,” said McKinney.

Bridge View Center’s Executive Director Larry Gawronski tells KTVO that McKinney is the best fit for Bridge View and that his experience and creativity will please his customers; and because of that he is excited to welcome him aboard.

You can actually try some of McKinney’s dishes on December 7 at the First Friday Breakfast Buffet.