 |
| (L-R) Toby Smith, Sous Chef; Steve Mann, Personal assistant and Tasteful Temptations owner and head chef, Brian Justice |
What defines a winner? Education, preparation, high
standards, creativity, attention to detail, superior follow-through. These
attributes wear well in any endeavor, particularly in A Taste of Glynn. Brian
Justice should know- he and his Tasteful Temptations team have won nine awards
in their three previous years of participation, including a couple of the coveted
People’s Choice Awards.
Brian
comes to the competition with plenty of experience. During his years at the
Cloister, world-renowned The Breakers in Palm Beach and The Addison of Boca
Raton, Brian not only worked as a lead chef in several resort property
restaurants but also served as the banquet chef, responsible for creating
elegant parties for up to 2,000 people. Menus ranged from simple fresh items to
elaborate multi-ethnic cuisine in a mind-boggling variety of settings and
themes. He trained and supervised a staff of a few dozen people, designed
menus, developed procedures, redesigned the kitchen, and somehow kept up with
ordering the food and equipment for both the on-site and off-site banquet
operations.
All
while feeding thousands of people at a time? If the very thought inspires you
to hide under the kitchen table, think about this: Brian manages to do that
here in the Golden Isles; but this time, he’s the owner. You can find him
running his full-service catering operation locally, and you might catch him at
his restaurant, The Zeppelin Café, at the Brunswick-Golden Isles Airport. His
wife Laura helps with specialty things like creating fantastic cakes and
desserts in addition to being the full-time mama to their two-year-old.
If
you imagine that all that hard work and success makes him feel entitled to
indulge in the flamethrower antics you see from some TV chefs, you’ll be
disappointed. Brian Justice is a genuinely nice guy who happens to be extremely
good at what he does. So when you visit his company’s table at this year’s A
Taste of Glynn, the only thing sizzling will be the incredible food.
“We
love to bring flavorful, colorful and fresh dishes to all of our functions,”
Brian noted. “We appreciate the opportunity at A Taste of Glynn to
speak directly with the guests as they are sampling our foods, and answer
any questions they might have regarding ingredients, preparation or
presentation of the dishes.”
Winners
are innovators, and Brian Justice is no exception. “I have noticed a current
trend in people putting a new twist on the culinary items of their heritage,”
he pointed out. “Whether it’s Southern Food, Indian Food, Caribbean Food,
or whatever the case may be. It has become a trend to take those comfort
foods of the person's past and put a new spin on it.”
Tasteful
Temptations also won top honors in last year’s Tablescape category for
caterers. What tips does he have for the host and hostess at home to make the
party a visual feast as well as a culinary triumph?
“Pick
what you like! Whether it is simple and clean or bright bursts of color,
pick what you like and incorporate it into your tablescape,” he advised. “We
have a tendency to go big and simple. For example, have a large (5 or 6 foot
tall) display of white hydrangeas. Let the flowers’ beauty do all of the
talking!”
When
it’s time for Brian to create the menu for his own family, he says, “I love to
grill out. Steaks, chicken, potatoes, corn, tomatoes and asparagus. All with
fresh herbs from the garden. Simple and delicious.”
Who
is Brian’s favorite celebrity chef? Surprise- it’s the TV guy with a
personality that is his polar opposite!
“I
have a special admiration for Gordon Ramsey. He is direct and to the
point, but his knowledge and love of food is expansive. Even with all of his
celebrity, he still is open to learn new ideas from others. I admire that.”
This
year, Gordon Ramsey won’t be at A Taste of Glynn, terrorizing the contestants.
But a very gracious, experienced celebrity will be in attendance to bestow the
first Celebrity Chef’s Choice Award in the event’s history. Holly Chute,
Executive Chef of the Georgia Governors Mansion will sample food prepared by
the Tasteful Temptations team as well as 25 other participating restaurants and
caterers. Guests at the event select the People’s Choice Awards and a panel of
judges selects the winners in nine additional categories.
A
Taste of Glynn is on March 25, from 5 to 8 pm. at the King and Prince Beach
& Golf Resort. Tickets are available at the King and Prince, and SunTrust
Bank locations on Demere Road and Sea Island Road, Palmer’s Village Café and Doug’s
Bar & Grill on St. Simons. In Brunswick, purchase tickets at LaiLai’s,
Hattie’s Books, color me happy, Zachry’s Seafood and Steak, Baby Mack’s and
Moore Stephens Tiller LLC. Or call the Glynn Community Crisis Center at
264-1348.
Photo by Lindy Thompson, Golden Isles Photography
