10 Chefs to Watch from North to South (& Beyond) at The Beach
Take your taste buds for a ride!
With more than 2,000 restaurants, the Myrtle Beach area has become an exclusive foodie destination. The quality ingredients, unique dishes, and culinary skills of our local chefs are incredible and feature every type of cuisine you can think of. Mediterranean, Chinese, Japanese, Jamaican, Italian, Southern-style suppers, and everything in between can be found here at The Beach.
Here are just a few chefs we think you’ll want to take note of the next time you’re dining out - listed from North to South and beyond!
Central/North Myrtle Beach Movers & Shakers
For Jamie Daskalis, being a chef isn’t just about passion - it’s about family. She carries on her late father’s legacy with Johnny D’s Waffles and Benedicts which serves some of the best skillets, specialty waffles, and French toasts at The Beach in three convenient locations: Surfside, Myrtle Beach, and North Myrtle Beach. Once you’ve had your fill at this Grand Strand brunch staple, make reservations for dinner at her newest gathering space, The Tasting Room on 9th.
Where to find Jamie: Johnny D's and The Tasting Room on 9th
As a first-generation American, Jason Tinh from JEM Social knows all about hard work and puts that mindset into every aspect of his restaurant to give diners a truly unforgettable experience. The restaurant makes everything fresh in-house down to the sauces and sexy cocktails. Jason learned to cook with his grandfather and is a true family man who named the restaurant for his three youngest children - Jaxon, Emma, and Madelyn.
Where to find Jason: Jem Social
Few chefs had more impact on the Myrtle Beach culinary scene than Heidi Vukov, and for good reason. Since moving to The Beach in the 90s, she’s been the mastermind behind bakeries and renowned restaurants like Hook and Barrel - known for its gourmet seafood and commitment to sustainability. Her bakery Croissant’s is located just next door and prepares some of the most beautiful (and delicious) cakes on all of the Grand Strand.
Where to find Heidi: Hook & Barrel and Croissants
Vincent “Vinny” Tumminello grew up in Bel Air, Maryland with a loving Italian grandmother, AKA Nonna who taught him the basics of cooking. After a few brief years in construction jobs and as a loan officer, he’s been the executive chef at the chic restaurant Bar 19 Twelve since they opened in December of 2019 showing off his Maryland background with some of the best crab cakes on the Grand Strand.
Where to find Vinny: Bar 19 Twelve
At the heart and soul of Winna’s Kitchen in downtown Myrtle Beach, you’ll find Jess Sagun whipping up classic dishes she learned from her foodie grandparents who taught her to use only the freshest ingredients she could find. Jess grew up in Cheraw, South Carolina, and opened Winna’s Kitchen in 2021 which proudly gives back to our community. Just add The Number One to your order and you’ll be providing a meal for a person in need.
Where to find Jess: Winna's Kitchen
South Strand Stars
Casey Blake has always been all about business - and his business is delicious Southern foods of all kinds. This prodigy took over as head chef at his first restaurant at the age of 16. In the years since, he’s become a titan of the competition circuit (including a win on the award-winning Cooking Channel Show Chef Swap at the Beach) and the head chef at Drunken Jack’s. Today, you’ll find him bringing new dishes to life while still bringing your dish to the table.
Where to find Casey: Drunken Jack's
Jef Cornelison is known around the business as one of the nicest chefs in town - and he can cook! This die-hard UGA Bulldog fan has cooked professionally for more than 30 years and gives credit to his mama and grandma. He’s famous for classic Southern dishes like collards, field pea succotash and, shrimp and grits. Chef Jef can be found in the kitchens of Hot Fish Club and Inlet Prohibition Company in Murrells Inlet.
Where to find Jef: Hot Fish Club & Inlet Prohibition Company
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, this chanterelle-loving chef became the executive chef of Bistro 217 nearly 20 years ago. Since then, he’s expanded his portfolio to include Rustic Table, his second Pawleys Island restaurant concept, where you’ll find Southern classics served with an upscale twist. Bistro 217 is a top spot for date nights, special occasions, or just a night out on the south end.
Where to find Adam: Bistro 217 & Rustic Table
Western Kitchen Warriors
As a lifelong South Carolinian, Darren Smith knows a thing or two about Carolina BBQ. But that’s far from his only claim to fame. His restaurant, Rivertown Bistro, just celebrated 30 years serving inventive, upscale cuisine, including sushi and even a roasted quail dish. Both restaurants have completely different vibes but are equally delicious additions to Conway, South Carolina.
Where to find Darren: Rivertown Bistro & Bonfire - A Smokin' Taqueria
Kamal Fraser grew up in Kingston, Jamaica, and is packing that same flavor into the dishes he crafts at his restaurant Caribbean Jerk Cuisine. Try classic Jamaican dishes like tender oxtail, curry mutton, or jerk burgers. The talented restauranteur is also the pastor of Beulah Worship Center which is a non-denominational, multi-cultural, and multi-racial church centered around the Bible.
Where to find Kamal: Caribbean Jerk Cuisine
Ashlee Carson grew up in Northwest Ohio but has lived in Myrtle Beach since graduating from the University of Central Florida in Spring of 2006 with a B.A. in Advertising and Public Relations. She was a former Public Relations intern at the Chamber of Commerce in the Summer of 2005 where her excitement for writing about Myrtle Beach began. Ashlee has two children, and loves boating, the beach, fishing and exploring everything the Grand Strand has to offer.