Murphy's Chophouse

The Chef & The Chophouse Family

Chef James Reaux brings decades of culinary experience to Western North Carolina, from Murphy to Franklin and Cherokee.

Chef & Owner

James Reaux

Chef James Reaux has built a career around fine dining, hospitality and a hands-on approach to the restaurant business. After working in acclaimed hotels and resorts across the United States and abroad, he brought that experience to the mountains of Western North Carolina.

In 2009, Chef Reaux opened Murphy's Chophouse in Murphy, North Carolina. The restaurant combines a relaxed mountain atmosphere with a menu centered on steaks, chops, seafood, fresh ingredients, desserts, wine and cocktails.

Today, the Chophouse family also includes J.R. Chophouse in Franklin, North Carolina, and Circle H Chophouse in Cherokee, North Carolina. Each location has its own character while carrying forward the same focus on food, service and hospitality.

A Culinary Career Spanning Decades

Chef Reaux moved to the Hayesville-Hiawassee area from South Florida, where he served as Executive Chef and oversaw the culinary operation for the Boca Raton Resort & Club. Earlier positions included luxury hotels and resorts such as the Century Plaza Hotel and Towers in Los Angeles, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in Hawaii, the Westin Resort in Hilton Head, the Plaza Hotel in New York, Victoria Jung-Frau in Interlaken, Switzerland, and the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia.

His professional culinary career began after graduating from culinary school in 1981, followed by a position at the Greenbrier Resort. His interest in cooking began much earlier in Michigan, where his mother taught him to appreciate seasonal ingredients, flavor and the fundamentals of the kitchen.

Chef Reaux has also been recognized through the American Culinary Federation and was selected as a James Beard Centennial Honoree at the James Beard House in 2003. His career has taken him from major resort kitchens to independent restaurants, with the mountains of Western North Carolina becoming home.

Private Dining, Catering & Special Events

Planning a private dinner, catered event, wedding or special gathering? Contact Murphy's Chophouse and let us help with the details.