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Meet the Team at Pembroke, US, VA
Food & Beverage Team

Meet The Food & Beverage Team

Meet the passionate people behind planning the celebration of your dreams! Our creative team works closely with you to ensure that your wedding is everything you envisioned and more. We love sharing this stunning place with you and are honored to be a part of your story.

Executive Chef, Wells Selbe at Mountain Lake Lodge Pembroke, US, VA

Executive Chef, Wells Selbe

Chef Wells was born into the food business in Roanoke, Virginia. His great-grandfather owned a restaurant in upstate New York called The Candlelight. His grandfather was the chef, grandmother the barkeep, and his mother the waitress. He was raised in his family's catering company, Chanticleer Catering, bussing tables and helping with prep work since elementary school. At 16 years old, he attended Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Paris, France, later going on to graduate from the University of Virginia with a degree in Anthropology. Wells continued to work with his family's company as they expanded their operations to create and acquire three historic venues, Overhome, The Corinthian Ballroom and The Virginian on Jefferson.
Chef David Gordon-Somers at Mountain Lake Lodge Pembroke, US, VA

Executive Sous Chef, David Gordon-Somers

David Gordon-Somers is a distinguished chef whose culinary journey began in the vibrant kitchens of his grandmother's home in Jamaica. From an early age, he developed a profound love for cooking, inspired by the aromas and flavors that surrounded him. This passion would shape his future, leading him to pursue a career in the culinary arts.
David's formal training began with a four-year Culinary Degree, which laid the foundation for his skills and knowledge in the kitchen. Over the years, he honed his craft in various prestigious establishments, including the Crowne Plaza, Renaissance, and Marriott hotels. His experiences in these environments not only enhanced his technical abilities but also exposed him to diverse culinary styles and practices.
Chelsea Edwards at Mountain Lake Lodge

Food and Beverage Assistant Director, Chelsea Edwards, Certified Sommelier

Growing up in Rockford Illinois to a Sicilian Family is where the wine passion began. Chelsea graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Agriculture, specializing in Viticulture and Restaurant Management. Working in vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms, in the NRV and Southern Illinois sparked her interest in the Court of Master Sommeliers.

In 2014 she became a Certified Sommelier and moved to New Zealand to work in the wine industry on Waiheke Island. After three years as a Cellar Manager, she returned stateside to be the Head Mixologist and Beverage Manager for the Relais Chateau, Blackberry Mountain.
Jasmine Ogle at Mountain Lake Lodge

Jasmine Ogle, Food and Beverage Manager

A West Virginia native, where the tea is sweet and the people are sweeter, Jasmine began her career at Mountain Lake Lodge in 2019. Drawn to the lodge's unique ambiance, she quickly progressed through various roles within Food & Beverage, earning  Employee of the Year awards in both 2020 and 2021. Her dedication to creating memorable guest experiences shone through in initiatives like preparing a vegan birthday cake for a cherished guest from the UK and orchestrating a festive Christmas celebration for loyal clientele that guests still rave about. Promoted to Food & Beverage Manager in 2022, Jasmine thrives on building lasting relationships with both colleagues and guests.
Stephen Foster at Mountain Lake Lodge Pembroke, US, VA

Stephen Foster, Special Events, Certified Sommelier

Stephen Foster, Certified Sommelier, grew up in his family's restaurant business in Roanoke, Va.. After obtaining a degree from Virginia Tech he went back into the family business as Manager of Operations and Wine Director. Along the way, he developed a passionate appreciation for wine and its interplay with food that can be a magical combination. He currently holds professional wine certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers, The Society of Wine Educators, and the International Sommelier Guild.