About Us

CO-OWNER AT LAKE AVE & LAKE EFFECT

Derek Snyder was born and raised in Duluth, and comes from a long line of entrepreneurs. His parents Royanne and Boyd had rich careers serving Northern Minnesotans, and he’s delighted to continue that tradition as a restaurateur in his hometown. Derek learned the restaurant ropes elsewhere, waiting tables as a college student in Oregon, washing dishes in Alaska, and managing dining rooms as a ski bum in Jackson Hole.

He realized a lifelong dream when he and his partners took the helm at Lake Ave in 2009, and is equally excited to introduce the Lake Effect to Island Lake this winter. His goal has always been to create warm, welcoming places where families, visitors, and friends can spend time together, enjoy creative food and wine, and create connections. He, his wife Mya, and children Jamie and Roya, welcome you to the family.

CO-OWNER AT LAKE AVE & LAKE EFFECT

In 1983 I got my first restaurant job as a server assistant and dishwasher at the short lived Tex-Mex restaurant The Neon Parrot. From there I went to work for Kid’s Korner Pizza for a few years until I purchased the four local stores at the ignorant age of 21. After learning many hard lessons from running four take and bake pizza places I lucked out and got married to an amazing lady (who luckily is still by my side). Kid’s Korner was followed by a few other places until I found a home at Grandma’s Restaurants for ten years. There I was challenged in ways that have shaped my career since. Opening several restaurants for that corporation I moved on to Ground Round during the corporation moving to independently owned restaurants and helped the new owner get settled in his newly purchased business. When my time was done there I found myself with two young children and off to a new endeavor with Just Take Action Inc. (Fitger’s Brewhouse) opening Burrito Union for them and eventually becoming their financial controller. While at Fitger’s I met Derek and we were both going after Lake Ave since the owners were looking to sell and retire. Derek came up with the great idea of us doing it together and The Lake Effect Restaurant Inc. was born. Since us taking it over in 2009 I could not have had a better life!! Indulging in my passion for board games, becoming an empty nester and being able to travel the world with my wonderful and more than patient wife. Now with Laura added as a partner we embark on the new adventure of opening a new restaurant and I approach 40 years in this amazing business. I could not have two better partners to share this experience with!!!

CO-OWNER AT LAKE AVE & LAKE EFFECT

I was born and raised in Duluth/Superior. I started working in restaurants in 1996. I was drawn to the flexibility of the job; the ability to work and save and then take off to travel and live abroad. The other major draw for me were the people I worked with. My very best friends are all people I met working in restaurants. The tight knit community that is created in service industry jobs are of people from all different backgrounds, educations, and interests. That is probably my favorite part of working in a restaurant.

I joined Lake Ave Restaurant and Bar in 2012 as a server. I knew Mark and Derek from working at another place in town, and I could tell right away they had created something really special in Lake Ave. In 2017 I was able to buy into the business, becoming co-owner of a restaurant that I love. I love the dynamic creativity, the challenge to always be better, the rush of helping to create a memorable experience for someone. I am thrilled to have the chance to create this new adventure of Lake Effect at Island Lake. Each decision made in designing this new place is tied to the next that results in the end goal: make people happy.

EXECUTIVE CHEF AT LAKE EFFECT

Hi, I am Luke Anderson aka Chooch, I was born in lower Michigan and moved to Embarrass, MN in 2004. I lived on 75 acres of farm land with buggy summers and harsh winters. Growing up I raised farm animals as pets and picked fresh vegetables out of the garden to the side of the small garage. I was a big help with cleaning, feeding, and supplying the animals with water. I was eating so many family recipes and was eventually helping my parents with them. I experienced a lot of food while I was young and figured why not keep experiencing more.

I graduated high school on the Iron Range in 2012 at 17 years old. I moved to south Minneapolis and started going to the Arts Institute Culinary School located downtown. In less than 2 years I graduated with an Associates Degree and moved up to Duluth in the middle of the summer of 2014. I learned so much in those 8 years, 5 months and 4 days. Working brunch every weekend for 2 years and slowly moving up the ladder with creativity I was able to use. I’m very excited to show the Island Lake area some new things - hopefully without scaring them away from unknown menu items. It’ll be fun to cook comfort food and smoke a lot of meats.

I have not been in a lot of kitchens, therefore I have only taken so much experience from different chefs. Very small tips and tricks have been shown to me and I have always liked to share them with others in the kitchen to ensure quality of the product is done in a timely manner. I’m very excited to work in a brand new kitchen with brand new equipment and a brand new staff. Fresh start and a change of scenery is what I’m mostly excited about at Lake Effect. I hope to give all of our customers a reason to come back, either for cocktails or food. I’m ready to start the journey.