Chefs are the coolest people in the world, right? They do everything I can’t but wish I could— stay up past 9 PM, pull off clogs, whip up a pot of pasta without setting a dish towel on fire. I love reading about chefs, talking to chefs, watching tv shows about chefs.
Restaurants are slooowly opening back up but takeout still feels like my safest bet, especially since Charleston offers so many outdoor spaces to enjoy a dinner al fresco. This week I talked to three chefs about their go-to to-go orders in Charleston.
Lauren has worked in several high profile restaurants around the country and is now a private chef in Charleston (lucky us!). Her favorite takeout order is shrimp tacos with grilled shrimp and ceviche from 167 Raw. You can book Lauren for a meal or a lesson here, among other services, and connect with her here.
Rodney is a chef in Charleston who crafts absolutely delicious looking & unique dishes (sausage corndogs!!!) and never forgets the hot sauce— my favorite quality in a perosn. Rodney’s go-to order is the Cuban Sandwich and green fries from Cuban Gypsy Pantry which I will definitely be trying this weekend. Find Rodney here and his podcast here.
I met Justin at Palace Hotel (IMY) not long after I moved to Charleston. He told me he was a chef and I’m sure I asked him about 908 annoying questions after that. Luckily he was still gracious enough to share his favorite takeout order: the pastrami swordfish sandwich, from 167 Raw, where he is a chef. Find Justin here.
Wow chefs are good at takeout. Thanks to Lauren, Rodney and Justin & a big thank you to all of Charleston’s chefs, who truly keep our city full & happy.
Required reading
“The focus is tourism at any cost and it doesn’t matter if we are drowning in Covid or are telling the wrong story about slavery… The tourism industry is decimating African-American communities and flattening nuance and narrative.” A must read look at Charleston’s hospitality industry.
Need this kitchen counter cleaner + timely reminder.
A book of cocktail recipes is my kind of cookbook. On sale here.
Cannnnot wait to try Chef Vivian Howard’s new spot on Wentworth.
Dessert
I do lots of boring healthy things like forgoing meat as often as possible and not drinking during the week (ok fine not drinking MUCH during the week) but one thing I will not give up is dessert. Sorry, no, never. If I had it my way, I’d eat a molten lava cake from Chili’s with vanilla ice cream every night in bed while I watch Dr. Foster but unfortunately I have been informed that this is not a sustainable lifestyle. As an alternative, I have been very into Chobani Flips this week. My sister/roommate/best friend has been eating these forever and in a dessert desperation I tried one and they aren’t bad. I like chocolate chip cookie dough the best but those are hard to find. S’mores and Oreo is good too. I also like to mix up a big spoonful of peanut butter in the yogurt but it is VERY important to put the peanut butter in before you flip the toppings. Enjoy.
Hope your weekend is full of fried green tomatoes and cosmic brownies!!!