New cafe opens in old Fayette County Courthouse

She is well-known in Central Kentucky's culinary circles and throughout the nation, and now she's opening up a new restaurant inside Fayette County's old courthouse.

Chef Ouita Michel held a soft opening on Friday for her newest restaurant Zim's Cafe.

For Chef Michel, it's what comes out of the kitchen that makes the cafe unique.

"We are a Kentucky Proud restaurant. We focus on farm to table Kentucky recipes," Michel said. "So, all of our chicken is Kentucky Proud all of our ground beef. You can have a local hamburger."

Interacting with the local farmers' market and showcasing Kentucky folk art is the well-known chef's goal through the new restaurant.

Zim's cafe is now one of ten restaurants that Chef Michel owns across Central Kentucky. Windy Corner Market, one of her restaurants, was recently visited by Hollywood actor Channing Tatum.

Nevertheless, Michel's Kentucky roots keep her grounded.

"The thing that makes me most proud of what I really like to do is to be able to offer a really great meal, at a very fair price and that everybody can afford and enjoy this space," she said.

The grand-opening for Zim's Cafe will be on Tuesday afternoon.