Pawleys Island chef to take part in James Beard event in New York City

Chef Adam Kirby is headed out of Pawleys Island for New York City, but, don’t worry, he’ll be back.

Kirby, the owner and chef at Bistro 217 and Rustic Table in Pawleys Island, will be joining Chef Casey Blake, longtime chef at the Drunken Jack’s in Murrells Inlet, and Heidi Vukov, the owner of Croissants, Hook & Barrel, and Coffee and Cream Cabana in Myrtle Beach, for a James Beard culinary event in New York City.

Chef Kirby’s restaurants are considered some of the best places to eat in Pawleys Island.

The James Beard Foundation will highlight the culinary talent of the Hammock Coast and Grand Strand regions with a special dinner series in New York titled “A Celebration of Carolina Coastal Cuisine,” featuring the distinct ingredients and vibrant flavors of the regions. The events, scheduled for Sept. 16 and 17, will take place at Platform by JBF, a state-of-the-art show kitchen, event space and educational hub for outstanding culinary arts programming within Pier 57’s Market Hall.

The menu will include ingredients from esteemed local purveyors such as Kirby’s own Swamp Lake Farm, Microledon Farms and Twelve33 Distillery. 

The series will kick off with a public dinner on Sept. 16 featuring, among other dishes, Murrells Inlet-caught shrimp with Adluh grits, herb-crusted triggerfish, fried green tomatoes, South Carolina favorite she-crab soup, and a pecan tart for dessert. All the dishes will be made with regional ingredients. On Sept. 17, the chefs will prepare dinner for a private event with national media in attendance such as Bon Appetit. Both evenings are an opportunity for participants to learn more about the essence of Coastal Carolina cuisine and the culture of the region often referred to as the Grand Strand in Horry County and, for Georgetown County, as the Hammock Coast. 

Recognized as one of the preeminent culinary organizations in the nation, the James Beard Foundation spearheads initiatives to elevate America’s food culture, including honoring those who excel in the industry.

When people are looking for the best places to eat in Pawleys Island or the Hammock Coast, they often are referred to Kirby’s popular Pawleys Island mainland restaurants.

Kirby is known for his creative southern-inspired dishes and commitment to freshness and quality. He also owns Swamp Lake Farms, his passion project where he grows and harvests vegetables for his restaurants.

Growing up in Atlanta, his passion for cooking was sparked by his mother and grandmother. His journey took him from Atlanta to Hawaii, where he embraced island cuisine, and then to Portland, Oregon, where he graduated from Le Cordon Bleu at the Western Culinary Institute. He gained extensive experience working in renowned restaurants across the country like Stars in San Francisco, the Terrace Hotel in Atlanta, and the Gasthaus Restaurant at the Widmer Brewery in Portland.

In 2017, Kirby was named a South Carolina Chef Ambassador and won Best of the Fest at the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. He is devoted to local sourcing and maintains strong relationships with area farmers, fishermen, and purveyors.

He has hosted a video with North Carolina’s Our State magazine promoting “From Ocean to Table” and the Hammock Coast’s culinary scene.

“Everyone loves Chef Adam Kirby here in Pawleys,” said Clayton Stairs, tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber is so pleased that he is one of the three great chefs chosen for this James Beard event.”

Beth Stedman, president and CEO of Chamber of Commerce, plans to make the trip to New York to cheer on the two Georgetown County chefs.

“You couldn’t ask for two better people to showcase Georgetown County’s culinary scene to all of New York,” Stedman said. “The Chamber is so proud of Chef Adam Kirby and Chef Casey Blake.”

By Mark A. Stevens / director of tourism development for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®