Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Social Restaurant + Wine Bar In Downtown Charleston Announces New Executive Chef

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Social Wine Restaurant + Bar at 188 East Bay Street in downtown Charleston is thrilled to introduce a new talent in the kitchen. The new downtown hot spot recently hired Mark Kaufman as Executive Chef. Kaufman brings several years of culinary experience to the table and has worked in several big name kitchens around the country.

After graduating from the prestigious Culinary Institute of New Orleans in 2001, Kaufman was hired as sous chef at the historic Palace Café in New Orleans, owned and operated by Dickie Brennan of the famed New Orleans restaurant family. In 2004, he headed over to Emeril’s, another much-loved New Orleans institution, where he worked as sous chef. A stint out west followed, where Kaufman worked as sous chef and later executive chef at restaurants in Oregon and California.

Coming back to the east coast, Kaufman returned to New Orleans to cook once again at Emeril’s, where he was part of the post-Hurricane Katrina culinary rebuilding team, a highly rewarding experience. In 2006, Kaufman decided on a move to Charleston to join the bustling downtown culinary scene. As banquet chef at the highly acclaimed Magnolia’s, Kaufman was responsible for overseeing all banquet operations, as well as training new chefs and assisting in seasonal menu writing.

As Executive Chef at Social, Kaufman lends his culinary expertise and experiences in kitchens around the country as he prepares flavorful, seasonal dishes and gourmet wood-fired pizzas. To contact Social Restaurant + Wine Bar please call 843.577.5665 or visit www.socialwinebar.com.

Charleston Food and Wine Festival – Charleston, South Carolina

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A food and wine event like no other, this Festival provides guests the opportunity to meet and get a taste of some of the country’s best chefs, authors and wine professionals. Guests can educate their palates with Southern cuisine and the Lowcountry’s unique food styles, heritage and recipes at one of the 50+ events throughout the weekend. Highlights include the Celebration of Charleston Chefs Opening Night Party, the Restaurant Dine-Around, Bubbles & Sweets, the King Street Sip & Stroll, the Lowcountry Gospel Brunch and the BBQ, Blues, & Brew. An expanded Culinary Village takes over Marion Square Park in downtown Charleston with two Grand Tasting Tents, a Culinary Competitions, Cooking Demonstrations, Chef Tastings and more. The BB&T Charleston Food & Wine Festival is recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top 20 Events for the month of February 2008.
February 28, 2008 – March 2, 2008
Visit Charleston Food and Wine Festival for more information.

Fernandina Farmers Market – Fernandina Beach, Florida

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The Market features farm fresh produce, pickled seasonal vegetables, freshly baked breads and pastries, jellies, relishes and marinades, desserts as well as a wide selection of plants including orchids and other tropicals, succulents, herbs and garden flower and shrubs.

Saturday, 9am – 1pm at the corner of Centre Street & 7th Street North in downtown historic district of Fernandina Beach. There is plenty of parking available.

www.fernandinafarmersmarket.com or (904) 491-4872

Gingerbread Pirate Ship for the Holidays – Amelia Island, Florida

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AMELIA ISLAND, FL – November 21, 2007 – In a new twist on the traditional holiday gingerbread house, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island has unveiled a 17 feet long, 12 feet high gingerbread pirate ship in the resort’s lobby. Complete with masts and crow’s nest, the ship includes gingerbread cannons with chocolate cannonballs and a treasure chest. The resort’s pastry chefs and carpenters logged over 300 hours on this project, including 27 hours constructing the wooden base for the pirate ship and 175 baking hours. Consisting of 1,200 pounds of flour, 450 pounds of granulated sugar, 300 pounds of light brown sugar, 150 pounds of powdered sugar, 3,000 eggs, 435 egg whites, 300 pounds of shortening, 15 gallons of milk, 90 pounds of molasses, seven pounds of cinnamon, five pounds of ginger, two pounds of allspice, ground cloves and nutmeg, the pirate ship is one “sweet” vessel. koi toto togel [Read more…]