"Tarver has been the backbone of The Dining Room's culinary team since 2004, "says Marty Wall, Woodlands Resort & Inn's general manager. "His enthusiasm and passion for his craft is evident as he lends his artistic touch to each dish that flows from his kitchen. He shares our appreciation for delicate dishes filled with deeply infused flavors, a Woodlands trademark since its opening."

A native of Virginia, Chef King began cooking at the age of 15 inspired by his grandmother, Tatiana McKenna, the recipes editor for Vogue in the 1960's. His quest to develop his own style of cooking took him to some of America's greatest kitchens. He performed stages at the French Laundry, Le Bec Fin, and Roy's in Philadelphia before landing at The Inn at Little Washington in 2002. It was there that he entered the world of renowned chef Patrick O'Connell. He served as Chef de Partie at the Five-Star, Five Diamond restaurant gaining a fondness for "comfort" foods utilizing the best ingredients from the farmers in the surrounding Virginia countryside. He moved on to the Hurricane at Perkins Cove in Ogunquit, Maine before returning to the sunny south and Woodlands Resort & Inn.