Something special

(L-R) Orlando Wallace and George Morris of The Jerk Shack

             Anyone who has attended A Taste of Glynn knows that food – in all its fabulous forms and flavors – takes center stage.

            For those who help plan and promote this annual event, though, the real reward lies in meeting the people behind the food. To a person, our participating chefs and culinarians take tremendous pride in preparing – and sharing – their art.

            “I grew up in the restaurant business and have always loved Caribbean food,” says George Morris of the Jerk Shack in Brunswick. “For me, it comes from the heart.”

            This year will be George’s second appearance at A Taste of Glynn. In 2011, on his first try, he scored a win in the International category with his spicy, smoky jerk chicken.

            “Last year was a wonderful experience for us, and it really helped our business by having people know what we can do,” he said. “It was everything we hoped for, and then some.”

            Like many other small restaurant owners, George finds his inspiration within his own imagination and through suggestions and requests by customers. 

         “I experiment every day,” he explains. “I love it when someone asks for something special and to see the joy on their face when they receive it. Even if it’s not on the menu, if they can tell me the ingredients I will be happy to make it for them.”

            If you have a yearning for Jerk Chicken, Oxtail Soup, Garlic Conch or most anything else, stop by The Jerk Shack on Altama Avenue in Brunswick. If you want to enjoy George’s Caribbean flair while you relax by the ocean, with music by The Three of Us, the Not Brothers and Michael Hulett- then sample the delicacies from the Jerk Shack at this year’s A Taste of Glynn on March 25, 2012, from 5-8 pm. at the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort. Tickets are available at the King and Prince, Palmer’s Village Café, Doug’s Bar & Grill 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, Zachry’s Seafood and Steak, Baby Mack’s, McGarvey’s Wee Pub 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

Now, that's Southern!

Chef Richard Austin

          Chef Richard Austin has a tiny little secret. Although he excels in the art of Southern cooking, he isn’t a native Southerner. In fact, he grew up in New Jersey, in a predominantly Italian neighborhood. But that’s okay. You can officially bestow the honorary title of Transplanted Southerner upon him with complete confidence.

            Chef Austin learned to cook growing up, in a family kitchen, as many great chefs have done. When he went into the Army as a young man, however, he had not planned to pursue a career in food. He began on kitchen duty– not an unfamiliar memory for young recruits– peeling potatoes and chopping vegetables.

            “I had the good fortune to be stationed at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Georgia, one of the top small-garrison facilities for culinary achievement in the entire military,” he recalled. “As I moved on to more advanced areas, I overheard the guys out in the main prep area, where most of us were not allowed to go. I heard them bragging about how good they were– and they really were good! It motivated me to move up to that area, to do the final prep of the meals and to participate in the competitions.”

            It didn’t take long for Richard Austin to progress into the competitive arena. “The military gave me the opportunity to learn the true structure of the culinary arts. The final prep chefs at Fort Stewart had the attitude of a champion, and I realized I wanted that, too.”

            After his military career, Chef Austin moved on with a stack of awards to his credit. He became a Certified Executive Chef, trained other chefs all over the world, participated in taping innumerable demonstration videos, owned and operated a restaurant and is now working on developing a signature line of seasonings. Today, he operates a full-service catering company in Brunswick, Georgia, Chef Austin Catering. He and his team are ready to compete at this year’s A Taste of Glynn for their third year.

            Chef Austin is a long-time supporter of the event’s beneficiary, Glynn Community Crisis Center. The Crisis Center operates Amity House, Hope House and offers a wide range of outreach services for those who have experienced domestic violence. Not only does he participate in the competition, he has shared three of his signature recipes in A Taste of Glynn Cookbook, a collection of exquisite food from the Georgia coast. The cookbook is available through the event website, www.atasteofglynn.com, and at the event.

            When asked for a definition of Southern cooking, Chef Austin has a unique outlook. It doesn’t involve butter, nor does it overpower the palate with sugar and salt. 

            “If I had to use one word to define it, that word would be comfort,” he asserted. “It’s not the actual dishes, but what happens when people get together, with many family members contributing what they have, and what they can do. Every region has its own version of Southern cooking. Some aspects of other nationalities come into it as well. It’s an appreciation of what your parents went through to get you where you are now. It’s how you feel when you get together.”

            What an uplifting answer! Typical of Chef Austin–and of A Taste of Glynn, as well. Twenty-six area caterers and restaurants, from the brave entrepreneurs whose success started on a kitchen table at home, to historic landmark resorts. Everyone presenting their best, in a spirit of community to help those who need it most. You can’t get more Southern than that.

            The annual celebration of food, fun and music is on March 25, 2012, from 5-8 pm. at the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort. Tickets are available at the King and Prince, Palmer’s Village Café, Doug’s Bar & Grill 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, Zachry’s Seafood and Steak, Baby Mack’s, McGarvey’s Wee Pub and Moore Stephens Tiller LLC. Or call the Glynn Community Crisis Center at 264-1348.

           

Photo by Lindy Thompson of Golden Isles Photography

           

             

Winning Ways

(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