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. 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.. . Miller, p. 111. References External links Wilbur Mitcham from the Georgia Encyclopedia Mercer University Press 1923 births 2003 deaths African-American chefs American male chefs American chefs Chefs from Georgia (U.S. state) United States Army personnel of World War II People from Macon County, Georgia 20th-century African-American people 21st-century African-American people