Who is the classically Southern chef in your city?

[Gifted Gourmet]

After reading the articles in the NY Times thread here on Robert Stehling of Charleston, SC, I began to ponder the question of which chefs in the cities of the southeastern part of the US do classical southern cuisine .. Hence my question ...

Here in Atlanta, I would say it is Scott Peacock thread here who first comes to mind but there are, of course, many others ...

Of course in Birmingham, Highland's Frank Stitt comes to mind too ...thread here

So who does this in your southeastern town or city?

[Varmint]

Durham: Ben and Karen Barker

Chapel Hill: Bill Smith and Mildred Council (Mama Dip)

Raleigh: Hmmmmm. Don't know!

[Carrot Top]

Nobody.

[highchef]

The best cooks in s.w. LA. are, and always have been the creoles. The resturants are not always in the best part of town, but its where the 'old' families go, cause they're in the know. I feel sorry, sometimes, for the new money here....they really don't have a clue how to spend it. They think the casino's have the good stuff. That's ok, we like things simple and served up hot.

That said, the better high end resturants here are run by Lebonese (sp).. truly good food, but not southern. About as close as they get is crab cakes. good ones though.

[joiei]

In Shreveport, David Bridges!!!!!!!!!!

[BrentKulman]

Having just had a fantastic soul food dinner this evening at Grandma's Country Kitchen in Charlotte, I'm going to nominate Abdul Bilal. More of a Chowhound place than what is typically discussed on eGullet, the food Abdul serves up defines traditional southern cooking for me.

[CoolPapaBell]

Having just had a fantastic soul food dinner this evening at Grandma's Country Kitchen in Charlotte, I'm going to nominate Abdul Bilal.  More of a Chowhound place than what is typically discussed on eGullet, the food Abdul serves up defines traditional southern cooking for me.

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Better than even the Coffee Cup? I had a great soul food breakfast there, though I must admit I'm not sure I'd rate it Top 5 in the country as some publications have.

Even before I read your response to Gifted Gourmet's question--and is that Sally Jesse Rapheal in the avatar I was thinking along the same lines. May he rest in peace, Lydell "Deacon" Burton is the greatest chef in Atlanta history. Ain't nobody close, no way, no how. Therefore in his memory, I nominate nobody currently on this earth.

[The Cynical Chef]

In this town? That would be moi!

Sometimes known as:

The Guru of Grits

The Sultan of Shrimp

The Hominy Hunk

The Prince of Pecans

The Country Ham Commissar

The Ying & Yang of Yams

The Protector of Peaches

The Brain behind Sugar Cane

I could go on but I am giving a keynote address on "Humility and the Southern Chef" and I am behind schedule...

[Gifted Gourmet]

In this town?  That would be moi!

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What's true is true .. he need not be humble about the quality and conception of his menus .. check them out: 33 Liberty website

This week the Maliks' specialties include:

Country Ham Salad with NC Apples & Candied Nuts

Catfish Beignets with 33’s Hot Sauce & Cole Slaw

Molasses Brined Pork Tenderloin with Green Apple Bread Pudding and Cane Vinegar Butter

Vanilla Waffle Sundae with Peaches, Peach Ice Cream, Milk Jam & Whipped Cream

Southern as all get out and cleverly executed ...

coming up shortly at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival in Orlando:

You’ll observe a guest chef prepare a three-course luncheon. Wine pairings will be offered by a noted wine principal. 

10/7 - John Malik, 33 Liberty, SC, American

[BrentKulman]

Having just had a fantastic soul food dinner this evening at Grandma's Country Kitchen in Charlotte, I'm going to nominate Abdul Bilal.  More of a Chowhound place than what is typically discussed on eGullet, the food Abdul serves up defines traditional southern cooking for me.

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Better than even the Coffee Cup? I had a great soul food breakfast there, though I must admit I'm not sure I'd rate it Top 5 in the country as some publications have.

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I haven't been to the Coffee Cup in a while and not since it last changed hands. I did go to the John Edge fried chicken dinner last year in Charlotte that was catered by the Coffee Cup and was unimpressed, although that may not be fair. In any event, I'd give Grandma's the nod over the Coffee Cup and Mert's too, for that matter, based upon my recent experience.

[rickmcdaniel]

I have been blessed to have eaten at Hominy Grill. The food is heavenly.

About 4 years ago, I was bummed to find that the only Cajun/Creole restaurant in town (Asheville, NC) had closed.

A couple weeks later, I saw a new restaurant with a catchy logo in its place. Checked out the menu board outside, came in and had the best pumpkin gingerbread, hot country ham biscuits and grits I had put down my gullet in ages. When I commented on how good the gingerbread was, the incredibly nice (not to mention pretty) girl waiting on me thanked me and came back shortly with the recipe written in her own hand. Turns out she was Julie Stehling, Robert's sister-in-law and wife of Robert's brother John, who was behind the line. They had left Hominy, where they met, and moved to Asheville to open their own place, Early Girl Eatery.

So who's better? It's a tie. I like some things better at Hominy, and some better at Early Girl. My wife and I have become fast friends with John and Julie, and I have passed many happy meals at my new favorite restaurant.

[Gifted Gourmet]

About 4 years ago, I was bummed to find that the only Cajun/Creole restaurant in town (Asheville, NC) had closed.

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but then again, Asheville is now the quintessential food renaissance capital of the Southeast! From Zambra to Rezaz, Asheville has something for every palate!

I am also a fan of Hominy Grill in Charleston .. it is a place which I think would do well here in Atlanta ...