About

For years, we were known fondly as Bowers Harbor Inn. In spring 2010, we officially reopened as Mission Table at Bowers Harbor Inn. We still hold true to the basic ideology that made us one of Michigan’s most highly regarded culinary destinations for decades, but have focused & renewed our vows to our valued patrons:

  • With an awareness of our place in the community of the Old Mission Peninsula & Northern Michigan, we — the owners, chef & staff — take our inspiration from the land & waters that surround us.

  • Our menu features the best ingredients available from farms & fishermen, using the freshest products, honoring the seasons & supporting the agricultural economy of the region. These foods are used in ways both innovative & traditional to bring out their unique essences. Garnish & presentation are always secondary to flavor & quality.

  • Our service reflects the generosity of the land & the casual cheerfulness of the local people. Our service staff is chosen for their passion to serve others, & and remembers that gathering at the table with family & friends is a central human experience. We believe that, rather than being separate from kitchen & operations, service is the final part in the natural sequences from farm to harvest to kitchen to table.

  • The atmosphere is historic, warm & and inviting, a place where our guests can relax & feel welcome. A meal might include a breeze off the bay, a great sunset or a glowing fireplace, but it is always a genuine Old Mission experience.

Who We Are

The Team

VICE PRESIDENT OF CULINARY DEVELOPMENT
& MANAGING PARTNER – Paul Olson

Chef Paul sets the course for the restaurants within the Bowers Harbor Inn property. From culinary direction, food preparation, & sourcing to architectural design, down to the staffing, Paul is the guiding light. Shaping all his decisions is a mission to have the shortest distance between the food source & the table, which means he will always use local ingredients first.

Olson is a Michigan native & graduate of both Michigan State University & the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. He honed his skills under the tutelage of Chef Frederic Perrier at La Cite, La Boheme & Café Luxembourg in Manhattan, where he discovered a passion for classic bistro cuisine.

Olson served as executive chef at Luna in Mount Kisco, NY, a position that resulted in a partnership that allowed him to open five restaurants, including Connecticut’s best rib joint, The Cookhouse in New Milford, CT, & The Inn at Newtown in Newtown, CT. Olson has crafted dishes for such notable events as A Tribute to Billy Joel in 1990, the James Beard Foundation Dinner in 1991, & the Aspen Food & Wine Classic in 1995.

After a total of 18 years in the East Coast, an opportunity at Bowers Harbor Inn lured Olson back to Michigan. He brings along his philosophy of fresh flavors, local ingredients, & superbly executed dishes to Mission Table, Jolly Pumpkin, & the Peninsula Room.

EVENT CHEF – Ben Jakobcic

Born and raised in Royal Oak, Michigan; Ben has been working in professional kitchens for nearly 20 years now. He moved to Traverse City 10 years ago, cooking for Mission Table before focusing on Banquets. Ben is honored to have taken part in the making of so many important moments through his work here and uses it as inspiration to continue to hone his craft and help forge many more exceptional experiences. Ben’s dedication to the quality and consistency of the food prepared in The Peninsula Room is unparalleled.

GENERAL MANAGER - Jim DeMarsh

Jim DeMarsh is a Traverse City native where he & his wife are raising their two boys. He has been in the hospitality industry for nearly 20 years.

Jim graduated from Grand Valley State University with degrees in Business Administration & Finance. After a short stint in the banking world the desire for the human experience & interaction brought him to the hospitality industry, serving as General Manager of Grand Rapids’ Bar Divani for three years.

Jim joined our team in spring of 2009 where he has worked his way to his current position of General Manager. Jim exemplifies hospitality. He cares as much about our employees as he does our guest experience.

EVENTS DIRECTOR – Barbara Olson

Barbara Olson brings over 20 years of marketing experience to Mission Table & Tasting Room, including stops at MTV, HBO, Comedy Central, Pepsi Cola North America & Kraft Foods North America & the ROR Restaurant Group. Her goal now is to share the beauty & bounty of the Bowers Harbor Inn property (& its resident ghost, Genevieve) with all its guests.

A graduate of Western Michigan University, Barbara’s career took her to New York, but the call of Northern Michigan brought her back home in 2008 with Chef, Managing Partner, & husband Paul Olson. She arranges all private events at Mission Table & our large format event space, the Peninsula Room. From receptions, rehearsals, business meetings, fundraisers, birthday & anniversary dinners, & everything in between, she & her husband’s goal is to ensure that each & every guest receives nothing but the most impeccable level of service. Contact her today at Barb@missiontable.net so that she can use her expertise & resources to make your event truly a memorable one.

EVENT MANAGER – Madi Liggett

Madi Liggett joined our team in 2021. Since then, Madi has married and welcomed their first child in November 2024. With a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Grand Valley State University, she’s pursued experiences across the hospitality field throughout our state, Mackinac Island, Saugatuck, and most recently Traverse City. She enjoys getting to know these Michigan coastal destinations and sharing that love with guests who are drawn here as well.

Her favorite part about hosting events is making each experience unique and memorable while simplifying the planning process for you. She also loves to see your personal style shine through in our space. In addition to helping our clients vision come to life, Madi also recaps the action on our social media platforms. She is an incredible asset to our team, and we look forward to you meeting her.