VIP Chefs 2025

Chef: Matt Zimmerman

Leading the region’s newest innovation in dining, The Food Hall at Cherokee Casino & Hotel West Siloam Springs, is Chef Mathew Zimmerman. Chef Zimmerman is a 10-year veteran of Cherokee Casinos, with notable tenures at McGill’s on 19 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, and Cherokee Casino Tahlequah’s White Wolf Steakhouse, where he’s been featured in Indian Gaming Magazine for his award-winning menu. A Longview, Texas native and Cherokee Nation citizen, Zimmerman is the father of Auria, 10, and Silas, 4. He enjoys golfing and playing guitar in his spare time.

Chef: Tyler Wiswell

Chef Tyler Wiswell has been in the culinary world for the last nine years. Specializing in Italian cuisine, Chef Tyler has been with Cherokee Nation Entertainment since 2017. Chef Tyler started with the company as a dishwasher and worked his way up to a Production Cook, then Sous Chef and is now the Room Chef, or specialty chef, for Flint Creek Steakhouse at Cherokee Casino and Hotel in West Siloam Springs Oklahoma. Chef Tyler’s favorite comfort food is goulash, a dish his grandmother first made that he fell in love with. Chef Tyler grew up in the Tahlequah area of Northeastern Oklahoma and is a proud member of Cherokee Nation. Chef Tyler provided support at last year’s Top Chef NWA and is excited to showcase his culinary skills as the VIP Lounge Chef at this year’s competition.