Nominate Your Favorite Grand Strand Chefs for 2025 James Beard Awards
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.—The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is encouraging the community to recognize the talented chefs and restaurateurs in the region by nominating them for the 2025 James Beard Awards.
The James Beard Foundation (JBF), renowned for honoring excellence in culinary arts, is accepting entries and recommendations through Nov. 29, 2024. The awards celebrate extraordinary individuals across the food industry who demonstrate culinary skill and a commitment to equity, sustainability and fostering an inclusive, thriving culture. These prestigious awards have a transformative impact on careers and highlighting innovators and changemakers shaping the American food scene.
In September, three Grand Strand Chefs participated in a special event for the James Beard Foundation in New York City that celebrated the distinct flavors of Coastal Carolina cuisine. Chefs pictured L-R are Casey Blake of Drunken Jack’s in Murrells Inlet; Heidi Vukov, owner of Croissants, Hook & Barrel, and Coffee and Cream Cabana in Myrtle Beach; and Adam Kirby of Rustic Table and Bistro 217 in Pawleys Island. (Credit Visit Myrtle Beach).
Recently, local chefs Heidi Vukov, Casey Blake and Adam Kirby had the honor of representing the Grand Strand and showcasing the area’s unique flavors at the Platform by JBF in New York City. Their participation further highlights the caliber of chefs in the Grand Strand, making the opportunity to nominate local culinary talent for the James Beard Awards especially exciting this year.
“Local chefs and restaurateurs from diverse backgrounds are the heart and soul of the Grand Strand’s vibrant culinary landscape with more than 2,000 restaurants offering an array of international cuisine,” said Denielle VanDyke, Public Relations Manager for the Myrtle Beach Area CVB. “This is a unique opportunity to bring national recognition to those who are creating exceptional dining experiences in our community.”
Nominations can be made for various categories, including Outstanding Chef, Outstanding Pastry Chef, Outstanding Restaurateur, Best New Restaurant and more.
For more information on how to submit a recommendation, visit the James Beard Foundation’s website at jamesbeard.org/awards.
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About Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Since 1938, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) has stood as the unified voice of the Grand Strand's business community — serving Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Loris, Atlantic Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, Aynor, Socastee, Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach and Pawleys Island. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded MBACC its five-star accreditation — one of only a few chambers in South Carolina to earn this distinction. The Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and its destination marketing arm Visit Myrtle Beach promote tourism through various partnerships and initiatives to advance the economic success of the Grand Strand. For more information, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, MyrtleBeachAreaCVB.com and VisitMyrtleBeach.com.