AAA and Mobile. It is here that he refined his fine dining skills. Prior to the Four Seasons Resorts, he held a position at the Cherokee Town and Country Club in Atlanta. He trained under two master chefs, an executive chef and an executive pastry chef, and began mastering his current cooking techniques. He also broadened his knowledge of exotic foods at this 5 star and 5 diamond rated country club. He says they "always challenged him to strive for excellence." McDonell enhances his knowledge of cooking by mastering different styles of ethnic backgrounds such as global Asian fusion, French techniques, Mediterranean, Italian and American contemporary. He is filled with a passion for his job that will resonate through the dining room of The Grape. "Cooking brings warmth to a home with fresh foods, good wines and sharing it all with friends and family."