Last day of the month and it's a leap year, too. How fitting. So, with the uniqueness of the 29th day, I did something I never thought I'd do.

I awarded February's Simply Amazing Dish of the Month to a special. 

I have consistently awarded menu items so people could always order the dish, however, this is leap year. Why not be different. And you never know, Andy and the crew at Russell's Seafood and Raw Bar may be inclined to serve it more frequently now.

So, without further ado, the award goes to the Steak & Shrimp special. And it's so worthy.

You could of ordered a NY Strip or Rib Eye for your steak selection and have your shrimp cooked multiple ways. My steak choice was Rib Eye and the shrimp were ordered blackened. 

Also ordered their newly introduced hand-cut fries along with the shoestring fries. The hand-cut fries were so awesome and not oily. 

Go by Russell's Seafood Grill and Raw Bar and enjoy some great food. Ask about the award winner. You might see it regularly now.

​Congratulations, everyone. 

Amazing. Perfect. Superb. Fabulous. Just wow.

Those were just a few compliments uttered dish after dish at the Celebrity Chef Dinner featuring Top Chef alumna Tiffany Derry at the International Culinary Institute in Myrtle Beach.

A full house was treated to extravagant tastings with students and chef instructors as part chef Derry's brigade.  

And one of her dishes impressed the chef instructors so much they told her they'd be using it. 

And, as always, the pastry students simply wowed the crowd with their plating of the Grilled Pound Cake dessert.

Make sure you like and follow the ICI's Facebook page to stay tuned for more Celebrity Chef Dinners. You can also visit the website to make reservations for dinner at the student-run Fowler Dining Room, too. 

To learn more about chef Tiffany Derry, visit the link here. 

The second annual Shrimp & Grits Cookoff is part of the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce's 2020 Business & Community Expo.

Come out for some great offerings from about seven teams at this point. I will be a judge again this year and expect the same culinary stewardship and quality that wowed the other judges and I last year.

​We'll see you there. Remember, #EatItUpGeorgetown!

The 8th Annual Island Bar & Grill/IAFF Local 3617 Chili Cook-Off will take place March 8, 2020, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

And I'll be a judge.

Here's the 2020 Make-A-Wish Chili Team List 

Join us Sunday at Island Bar and Grill in Pawleys Island

$10.00 for Adults
$5.00 for Children
Benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Carolina!

It was a beautiful Sunday to enjoy some she-crab soup while supporting a great cause.

February 23 was the Second Annual She-Crab Soup CookOFF at Quigley's Next Door in Litchfield, South Carolina. The event benefits Saint Francis Animal Center. 

Hundreds of people attended, with many lining up at the tables before the event officially started. It was also made more accessible by having the teams outside under a tent in the parking lot.

Many people had their favorites, from Harrelson's Seafood to Natural Born Grillers. Quite a few people talked about how good Buzzs Roost was. 

However, it was J&J Butcher Shop taking the Judge's Choice trophy and Hanser House winning People's Choice. 

Thanks to all the restaurants that participated. 

Talk about the culinary adventure of Georgetown, South Carolina, and you would mention our great restaurants. You'd mention the tasty dishes on their menus. The super chefs and staff.

With Cooking with Friends, you get a personal yet relaxed seating with a renown chef in Georgetown County, benefiting Friendship Place, Inc.

The first event of 2020 has set the bar. It was a food explosion detonated by Southern Comforts, Southern Dining & Seafood Shack's chef Greg Metcalfe and sous chef Chelsea Cribb.

About 35 people attended the event, enjoying a three-course meal with an amuse bushe to invite them in.

Take a look below at the photos of the Cooking with Friends kickoff. Plan ahead for the next event. 

They sell out each time and the series gets even more popular as the years go by. 

​Get ready. Shrimp & Grits will be cooking again at this year's Business & Community Expo held by the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce. 

Nothing brings a community together like cooking. Whether you're watching, preparing, or enjoying the delicious end result, cooking is something that's done best with friends. Enjoy old and new friends in a fun, relaxed setting, learning how to create dishes from top local chefs at The Cypress Room at Get Carried Away.

We'll also be pouring a delicious selection of wines courtesy of Pawleys Wine & Spirits. Come to the event in clothing you'd wear to cook at home. We're all friends here! The best part…when you attend Cooking with Friends you are helping to support Friendship Place and programs developed to address food insecurity issues in our community.

The February "Cooking with Friends" will feature culinary talents of awarding-winning Chef Greg Metcalfe and his Sous Chef Chelsea Cribb. Greg started his career more than 40 years ago working in his mother's catering business in Cincinnati, Ohio. From there he went on to hone his skills in places like the five-star La' Maissonette. After traveling the country opening up Ritz Carlton Hotels, he and his wife settled in North Carolina where his love of Southern food started.

The menu for the evening (February 18):

Amuse Busche

Shrimp Louse served on a black pepper and Sea Salt Crostinin

1st Course

Bartlett Pear and Honey Crisp Apple Salad with candied pecans, herbed goat cheese, pickled Vidalia onions and golden beets, heirloom tomatoes, served on mixed greens with a grilled peach vinaigrette

2nd Course

Macadamia Encrusted Fresh Local Red Snapper pan seared and placed on a bed of Thai noodles tossed with fresh vegetables, garlic and sesame oil, then topped with brown butter poached shrimp and lemon grass Beurre blanc.

3rd Course

Julie's Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie with raspberry coulis and maple whipped cream

When Greg is not donating his talents and time to local charities, he's busy running Southern Comforts in Pawleys Island that he owns with his wife.

We kick off on February 18 at 6:00 p.m. and should end shortly after 8:00 p.m.



Cooking with Friends is brought to you by Get Carried Away, Pawleys Island Wine & Spirits, Friendship Place and Greenskeeper Florist.

Join us Sunday February 16th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Wicked Tuna for a full day of Live Music, All-U-Can-Eat Oysters, Local Craft Brews, Vendors, Food Trucks, and some of the best Bloody Mary’s on the beach sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka – the Vodka for Dog People - and New South Brewing - the Beer From Here!

Sample Bloody Mary’s from local families, clubs, businesses, and restaurants with a variety of recipes and garnishes from 11am-5pm then cast your vote for this year’s People’s Choice Award. 

All-U-Can-Eat Oysters are just $25 steamed hot and fresh! Bring your own oyster knives/gloves or purchase them for just $3. 

All oyster shells will be recycled by SC DNR to replenish local oyster beds!

Over 50 local artists, merchants, chefs, and non-profits make everything from handmade clothing and jewelry to stained glass. Fresh pies, pastries and finger food plus a variety of local Food Trucks! 

Enjoy award-winning local brews from New South Brewing, Lindeman’s organic wines, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktails for just $4 with valid I.D. 

BYO water bottle to fill up at our FREE WATER STATION!

The KIDZ ZONE will feature inflatables from K-Bar Farms, face painting, FREE arts and crafts, and MORE. 

Want to be a VIP??? Tune in to Wave 104.1 and 96.1 KZQ for this year’s music lineup and a chance to WIN Big Kahuna VIP Tickets! 

Think you got what it takes to win it all? Put Your Bloody Where Your Mouth Is! Sign up online for just $35 per recipe. Got Game? Enter additional recipes for $15 each.

Vendors: 10x10 spots are just $100 and free for non-profits. We are accepting applicants on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP. 

FREE SHUTTLES will run from Inlet Square Mall to Wicked Tuna from 10am-7pm. 
Please drink responsibly and call Creekside Cab (843) 357-8444 to make sure everyone gets home safely. 

ALL proceeds fund the Adaptive Surf Project, a registered 501c3 non-profit organization helping individuals with disabilities surf since 2014.

For more info, follow the Adaptive Surf Project on Facebook or www.adaptivesurfproject.com to become a member, sponsor, or volunteer.
 
Volunteer Meeting Thurs. 1/30 from 5:30-7pm at New South Brewery. Individuals and groups welcome!

Thank You for helping us Spread the Stoke!!!

Sincerely,

The Adaptive Surf Crew

Interested in delicious She-Crab Soup, Local Celebrities, Live Music, Saving Dogs and Cats, then note the date and post to your calendar Sunday, February 23rd, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Saint Frances Animal Center is hosting its 2nd Annual She-Crab Soup Cook-off at Quigley’s Next Door located at 251 Willbrook Boulevard.  "Due to the overwhelming success of last year’s event, the competitors will be serving their She-Crab Soup entry in an outdoor heated tent at Quigley’s Next Door," said Ryan Holcomb, Community Liaison," This will allow the entirety of the indoor space for the band, bar, raffle,seating and standing. “
 
She-Crab soup tastes require two (2) tickets, which can be bought at the door in packages. Ticket packages are offered with 24 tickets for $20 or 12 tickets for $10. These packages are available also online and include a bargain package of 26 tickets for $20, sold only online.
 
Online purchases should be made by February 21st. 

Direct link to the tickets sales is here: https://sfanimals.networkforgood.com/events/18332-2020-she-crab-soup-cook-off
 
There will be cash bar and live music by the Paul Grimshaw Duo.
 
Contest judges are, in alphabetical order: Jamie Arnold (WMBF-TV), Crystal Costa (WPDE-TV), Connor Ingalls (WPDE-TV), Frank Johnson (WBTW-TV), Trey Paul (WPDE-TV), Ed Piotrowski (WPDE-TV) and Jamie Sanderson (Georgetown Foodland).
 
 
Sponsors to date of the She-Crab Cook Off are Georgetown Tree Service, Reliable Appraisal, Friends of the Saints, Coastal Appraisal Services and generous individual donors. “Their support is much appreciated, ”said Holcomb.
 
As of this date, restaurants and individuals who plan to Wow attendees with their entries are:

Alfresco Bistro, Buzz’s Roost, Dead Dog Saloon, Gulfstream Cafe, Hanser House (last year’s popular choice winner), Harrelson's Seafood, Inlet Affairs, Natural Born Grillers, Pawleys Island Raw Bar, Quigley's, Wicked Tuna and The Rustic Table.
 
Proceeds from the event assist Saint Frances Animal Center to care for the lost, abused and neglected animals of Georgetown County and to give these dogs and cats a second chance at the life they deserve.
 
As more information becomes available regarding the She-Crab Cookoff, including participating additional restaurants and sponsors, visit the website www.sfanimals.org and check the Facebook page here, which is updated daily.
 
For questions regarding this event, or if attendance is not possible but donating to Saint Frances Animal Center is an option, please visit the website, Facebook page or call 843-591-5844.