Rob Long, president and general manager of Riverwalk Casino and Hotel, today announced the appointment of Mike Carle as executive chef.

Carle most recently worked with Cimarron Casino in Perkins, Okla. His experience in the Vicksburg market includes serving as executive chef and as fine-dining room chef for other local casinos.

Carle has also served as executive chef at J. Schimmel’s in Jackson. He has over 20 years in the food service industry, working in Washington, DC, Maryland, Connecticut and Tennessee. Carle is ServSafe(R) certified and his skills include ice carving.

“Chef Mike’s depth of experience in a variety of markets makes him extremely versatile,” Long said. “His highly creative approach to menu development and his understanding of the Vicksburg market make him the ideal person to launch our new restaurant operations.”

Riverwalk Casino is a multi-use development and estimates the creation of more than 400 new jobs for the local market. A “riverside park” experience unique to Vicksburg’s surrounding area is a premier design element of the development. The riverbank site is south of the Mississippi River bridges, just off Warrenton Road.

Design of the project is being executed by Foil Wyatt Architects & Planners, P.A. of Jackson. Benchmark Construction of Jackson is the construction contractor.

Grand opening for Riverwalk Casino is scheduled for the fall.