10/13/2026
❤️ A Personal Message from Chef Dennis Kirkland
A New Chapter Begins — With a Heart Full of Gratitude
To my loyal customers, friends, and family in Dadeville and the Lake Martin community,
Some messages are harder to write than others, and this is certainly one of them. After nearly a decade of dedicating my life to the restaurant business here in Dadeville, the time has come for me to share some bittersweet news.
I’m excited to announce that I’ve officially accepted the position of Executive Chef at a reputable resort and hotel on the Gulf Coast!
While I’m excited about this new chapter and the opportunities that lie ahead, I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to reflect on the journey that brought me here and, most importantly, thank the people who made it possible.
Nearly ten years ago, I stepped away from a career in human resources to pursue my passion for food. With the opening of Fusion Grill, I set out to bring something different to this community. My dream was to create something unique, something vibrant, and something that reflected my own creativity and love for the culinary arts. That journey eventually led me to Miller’s on Broadnax, where I continued pursuing that dream.
I’ll be honest with you. When I started this journey, I didn’t know if I would make it. The restaurant business is challenging. There have been long days, difficult decisions, financial pressures, personal failures, tremendous losses, and moments when the road ahead wasn’t always clear.
But through it all, this community stood by me.
You continued to show up. You came back time and time again. You brought your families, invited your friends, recommended our restaurants, shared your experiences on social media, and spread the word about the food we were creating.
You encouraged me, supported me, and reminded me why I started this journey in the first place.
When I think about how far we’ve come, I am genuinely overwhelmed with gratitude. Every returning customer, every kind word, every recommendation, and every meal shared has played a part in getting me to where I am today.
You didn’t just support a restaurant. You helped keep a dream alive.
For that, I will always be thankful.
As I prepare to take this next step in my career, I do so with excitement for the future and tremendous appreciation for the community that helped shape my past.
My last day at Miller’s on Broadnax will be in two weeks, and I would love the opportunity to see as many of you as possible before I leave.
Before I go, there are a few people I want to recognize.
First, David and Kelly Hooten. I want to thank them for their commitment to Miller’s and the Dadeville community. They are wonderful people who share a passion for this community and a commitment to providing a great customer experience. I’m confident that Miller’s is in good hands, and I look forward to seeing the restaurant continue to serve the people who have made it what it is today.
And then there’s the team at Miller’s.
I want everyone to know something that comes straight from my heart: this is the best team I’ve ever had the privilege of working with.
These are talented, hardworking, dedicated people who show up every day ready to do their jobs and take care of our guests. We’ve worked together, learned together, overcome challenges together, and shared the responsibility of creating the kind of dining experience our customers deserve.
But my appreciation for them goes far beyond their work.
I love this team. I believe in this team. And I trust this team.
I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, proud of the people they are, and confident in their ability to continue providing exceptional food and service long after I leave.
Please continue to show them the same love, kindness, and support you’ve shown me. They deserve it, and I know they’ll continue working hard to make Miller’s a place our community can be proud of.
Leaving isn’t easy when you’ve invested so much of yourself into something. But sometimes life presents an opportunity to grow, challenge yourself, and pursue a new dream. I believe this is one of those moments for me, and I’m ready to embrace it.
To everyone who has been part of my journey over these past ten years, thank you.
Thank you for believing in me when I was trying to find my footing. Thank you for supporting Fusion Grill and Miller’s on Broadnax. Thank you for standing with us through the good times and the difficult ones. And thank you for allowing me to share my passion for food with you.
Dadeville will always hold a special place in my heart.
Now, before I trade my familiar surroundings for the beautiful Gulf Coast, I have one request.
Please come see me at Miller’s on Broadnax over the next two weeks!
Come share a meal, say hello, reminisce about the good times, and give me the opportunity to thank you in person. I’d love to see as many familiar faces as possible and make these final days something special.
I’m excited about what’s ahead, but I’ll never forget the people and community that helped me get here.
I came to Dadeville with a dream of sharing my passion for food.
I’m leaving with a lifetime of memories, friendships, and gratitude that I will carry with me wherever I go.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Dadeville. It’s been my privilege to serve you.
Here’s to the memories we’ve made, the people we’ve shared them with, and the exciting new chapters still ahead.
I hope to see you at Miller’s before I head to the beach!
With love and gratitude,
Chef Dennis Kirkland ❤️
