South Carolina Chef Heads To Prestigious World Food Championships Competition

As a lover of all things cooking, food and food-related competitions, I get excited when I see someone local representing on a big stage.  And, that's just what's happening as a South Carolina chef heads to the World Food Championships in Dallas this month.  Danny Smith of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina is no stranger to the world of competition.

According to The Sun News, this is the 5th year the chef qualified for the huge event.  Smith's category is seafood.  And, that's what he was competing in last year when he made it to the second of two rounds.  Since 2010, he's entered more than 2 dozen competitions.   Chef Smith describes the World Food Championships competition saying "you can't get that kind of a feeling doing anything else that I can ever think of."  

The World Food Championships draw more than 1000 hopeful chefs from multiple states and countries.  The prestigious competition brings chefs together to compete on the big stage after previously winning smaller events regionally.  And, there's hundreds of thousands of dollars up for grabs.

Smith's says his cuisine is "new American."  And, he's a personal chef at Benjamin's Bakery in Surfside Beach.  When he heads to the World Championships, Smith will have 90 minutes to make a seafood dish while using a required ingredient.  In this case, it's king crab.  And, he's required to provide his own pans along with any needed equipment and ingredients.  The "ultimate food fight" competition starts November 9 in Dallas.

Earlier this year, I wrote about a trio of chefs who competed in the Taste of Lake Murray event to represent the Palmetto State.  And, those chefs also head to the World Food Championships after their success at the "Super Regional Qualifier."  Read more about Chris Williams, Meagan Horton and Mike Ellis.  Good luck to all those competing at the prestigious World Food Championships!

There are restaurants that deservedly receive a lot of attention and publicity. And typically for great reason. But now it’s time to delve into some different restaurants. Not necessarily the newest or the trendiest, but definitely some of the best. And these three restaurants in South Carolina are wonderful hidden gems. They were named amongst the top 25 hidden gem restaurants on TripAdvisor's recently released Best of the Best list. This list is nationwide so to have any restaurant included is impressive, but to have 3 of the 25 is certainly something to be proud of.

The most surprising part of this? The three restaurants recognized by TripAdvisor are in three different cities. Typically we see Charleston receiving this recognition time and time again. And while it's deserved (and one of these places is in Charleston), it's also nice to see other South Carolina cities getting some love! All three restaurants are on the coast though. Not only was South Carolina recognized North Carolina also had two restaurants named as the best of the best hidden gems. If you aren't good at math- that 20% of the best restaurants are in one of the two Carolinas.

Other states that got some love include New York, Tennessee, and Florida. Each of those states had multiple restaurants make the list as well. How were these restaurants selected for this top 25 list from TripAdvisor? TripAdvisor says that the Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best restaurants have "a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews" from users over a 12-month period. Fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor’s 8 million listings are awarded Best of the Best. You can read the full list and more about the 3 South Carolina Hidden Gems Award winners here. Love a restaurant and want us to highlight it? Let us know on social media!

42nd Street Bar and Grill prides itself on "great food and great company". You'll find it on North Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach! View the menu here.

The Jazz Croner is an iconic and award-winning jazz club and restaurant on Hilton Head Island. View the menu here.

Cru Café in Charleston serves up some of the best gourmet comfort food in the Lowcountry. Highlights include the  Four Cheese Macaroni and Thai Seafood Risotto. See the menu here.