Creative Cajun

John Howton of Blackwater Grill takes his (food) show on the road. 

           After 11 years in business, Blackwater Grill certainly qualifies as an institution among St. Simons Island restaurants. Owner John Howton says the secret to his success lies in having “a great staff and a concept that has been embraced by locals and tourists, with Cajun, Low Country and Southern Coastal cuisine.”

            “My philosophy is, ‘if it’s worth eating, it’s worth over-eating,” Howton laughs. Though not completely serious, he’s not kidding, either.

            Unwilling to rest on their culinary laurels, John and his staff are always on the lookout for new recipes and tastes. “We find recipes in ‘Southern Living,’ in the newspaper, and through friends and relatives,” he explains. “We do a lot of recipe testing at home. If we like it we bring it in and have our chef, Jamie Cadden, turn it into a production recipe to serve 100 people. You never lose interest when you’re in the restaurant business.”

            Patrons at this year’s A Taste of Glynn will get to sample the latest of example of Blackwater Grill’s culinary creativity: Low Country Chowder, served with Cajun Crustinis.

            “Everyone has leftovers when they serve Low Country Boil,” John says. “This is what you do with the leftovers. Just take the same ingredients and spices, and combine them into white chowder. Serve with French bread medallions coated with olive oil and Cajun seasonings, and you’ve got a great meal.”

            John credits server Landon Moorehead, who has worked for many years in St. Simons Island restaurants, with the idea for Low Country Chowder. “She tried it at home and brought it in and said, ‘Taste this.’ We did, and we really liked it. We think the judges and patrons at A Taste of Glynn are going to like it too.”

            If fresh Cajun food is your idea of a winner, be sure to cast your vote for Blackwater Grill for the People’s Choice Award at A Taste of Glynn on March 25, 2012, from 5-8 pm. at the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort. Tickets are available at the King and Prince, and SunTrust Bank locations on Demere Road and Sea Island Road on St. Simons. In Brunswick, purchase tickets at LaiLai’s, Hattie’s Books, color me happy and Moore Stephens Tiller LLC. Or call the Glynn Community Crisis Center at 264-1348.

Thanks to Patrick Saylor for this post!

           

Photo by Lindy Thompson of Golden Isles Photography