Our Team

James Sumpter

Owner; Director of Culinary, Operations and Finance

Bringing nearly two decades of leadership experience to The Mulberry House Restaurant.  James has led multiple restaurants, opened high-performing concepts, and built teams known for creativity and consistency. His career spans boutique hotels, farm-to-table bistros, sushi restaurants, catering, and large multi-unit operations.

Rooted in a passion for seasonal cooking and genuine hospitality, James is dedicated to creating an experience that feels warm, honest, and memorable, a perfect fit for the next chapter of The Mulberry House.

Alexandra Sumpter

Owner; Director of Brand, Culture and Experience

With over a decade in guest service, her journey began in bustling airport restaurants before flourishing at Disney World's renowned eateries, intimate family-owned establishments, and craft breweries.

She brings her hospitality experience, master's-level counseling background, and genuine love for people to The Mulberry House Restaurant. Believing that good food and heartfelt hospitality have the power to bring people together, she has created a place where every guest is welcomed like family, every meal is prepared with care, and every visit leaves you feeling a little more at home.

Wilbur Cox Jr.

Executive Chef

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland , Chef Cox made his way to The Mulberry House by way of South East Tennessee where he opened multiple restaurants with his previous business partners.

Chef Cox began his culinary career in his family’s restaurant at the age of 14, and quickly found his calling.  After culinary school and a few stints abroad Chef Cox has worked for multiple corporate and independent restaurant groups around the country.  Highlights include Kimpton Hotels, Two Roads Hospitality, and Joie De Vivre Hotels.

Chef Cox has worked with some of the finest chefs in the country including: E. Micheal Reidt (F&W Best new Chef), Guillermo Tellez-Cruz (Formerly of Charlie Trotters), and Chef Cindy Wolf.

Chef Cox has a passion for gardening and preservation. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, and spending time with his fiancée and dogs.

Alexia Trejo

General Manager

A Beaufort native, Alexia has proudly spent the last ten years working in hospitality throughout her hometown and surrounding communities, from working in local restaurants to volunteering with local nursing & hospice homes.

Alexia has been part of The Mulberry House team for over four years, working in nearly every position throughout the building. Her time here has strengthened her passion for hospitality, and she remains dedicated to creating memorable experiences and supporting the smooth, welcoming atmosphere that guests expect.

Known for her attention to detail and approachable leadership style, she hopes that continually refining operations and focusing on the details that often go unnoticed will create an atmosphere that keeps guests returning and employees proud to be part of the team. She believes the smallest details often make the biggest difference and strives to ensure every guest can feel that when they walk into the doors.

Prue Sellner

Assistant General Manager

As a child Prue used to cook with his mom while they watched celebrity chef legends like Julia Childs and Emeril Lagasse on tv. He quickly learned how much joy something as simple as food could bring to people and he wanted to be a part of that experience. He started working at his first restaurant at the age of 15 as a dishwasher and over the years he progressed his way through just about every position you could think of in a restaurant.

Prue loves to cook, bartend, and wait tables but most of all he loves the amazing interactions with all the wonderful people that he’s had the privilege to meet over the years, to hear their stories and see their smiles, and watch their families grow. That is where he finds his joy within the industry and in life and that is what he strives for everyday.

Prue has been serving the community of Washington, NC for just over 7 years now. He has had the pleasure of building lasting relationships and connecting with the community through various activities such as being a Little League Baseball Coach for a couple seasons, golfing, mobile bartending private events for customers and being that person you can always count on to bring a smile to your face when you come in to dine with us. As a first time Assistant General Manager Prue looks forward to working with our amazing team to build and maintain lasting connections with everyone that comes in for a visit.