What happens when Northwest Arkansas’ culinary talent is given a stage, a challenge, and a crowd ready to taste the results? You get Premier Chef Northwest Arkansas.
On October 24, 2026, at the Rogers Convention Center, guests will be invited to experience an evening built around great food and unforgettable moments. Watch chefs work under pressure, taste their creations, enjoy signature cocktails and desserts, and become part of the competition by voting for the People’s Choice Award.
This year, the stakes are higher. Premier Chef Northwest Arkansas is an Official Qualifying Event for the World Food Championships, allowing one competing chef to earn a coveted Golden Ticket and take their culinary talent to the next level.
But the evening is about more than what happens in the kitchen. Premier Chef Northwest Arkansas helps support the Rogers Public Library Foundation and its mission to raise funds that enhance the Rogers Public Library’s programs, services, and resources. Your participation helps support educational opportunities, enriching programs and tools that make a difference for people and families throughout our community.
So bring your appetite, gather your friends, and get ready for a night where every course tells a story and every ticket helps make an impact.
Premier Chef Northwest Arkansas October 24, 2026 | Rogers Convention Center | Rogers, Arkansas
The South has always had a special relationship with music, but a new wave of listening lounges is giving people a reason to stop and actually hear it. From Birmingham to Charleston, Asheville to Nashville, bars and restaurants are putting vinyl at the center of the experience. Inspired by post-war Japan’s jazz kissa, or jazz coffeehouses, and vinyl bars, where patrons gathered to listen to rare records on custom sound systems in a focused environment, today’s listening lounges are bringing that same intentional approach, pairing high-fidelity sound with cocktails, coffee, and food. Some are intimate spaces built for sinking into an album, while others turn up the energy with DJs, live music, and dance floors. Meet the Southern listening lounges bringing music back to the forefront, one record at a time.
Located in Birmingham’s lively Lakeview neighborhood, High Dive HiFi Lounge is an all-day listening lounge. Housed in an acoustically engineered space and equipped with a world-class HiFi sound system, this neighborhood bar and lounge was designed to let guests enjoy music in the most comfortable atmosphere possible. Similar to a recording studio, the architecture and interiors are designed to keep the room quiet and the music crystal clear. Throughout the day, the vibe easily shifts from a mellow daytime coffee shop to an electric nighttime lounge, while music plays continuously through the state-of-the-art, immersive sound system. From ABBA and Aretha Franklin to The Beatles and Booker T, from John Coltrane and Bob Dylan to ZZ Top, High Dive’s curated vinyl collection is eclectic. When selectors aren’t manning the turntables, guests can DJ with the classic CD jukebox or enjoy regular live shows by local musicians.
High Dive serves a wide variety of drinks, from specialty coffee to local beers and classic cocktails. One of the most exciting aspects of High Dive is its all-day menu created in collaboration with James Beard Award-winning Chef Sean Brock. Inspired by a nod to 1950s Tokyo’s famed kissa listening bars, this lounge offers a Japanese-inspired menu built on fresh, familiar cuisine. Open five days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant blends Southern comfort with Japanese touches, featuring menu items such as Scotch deviled eggs and Niman Ranch Iberico Pork Katsu. Rather than competing with the music, the food enhances this one-of-a-kind sensory experience.
Vinyl Vault is an American mid-century-inspired vinyl hi-fi bar and listening lounge built around the experience of actually listening to music connected to Mel’s Drive-In in Nashville, Tennessee. The sound system is central to the Vinyl Vault concept. Instead of using the same speakers throughout the space, they wanted each room to have its own sound and era. In the main bar, they have restored 1950s Altec Lansing “Voice of the Theatre” speakers. Originally designed for movie theaters, they have a big, warm sound you don’t hear from modern speakers. In the pool room are vintage 1960s JBL speakers, the same type used by The Beatles. And finally, in the B.B. King Lounge, there is a Klipsch surround-sound system, which gives that room a sound more reminiscent of the 1970s. Each room has a distinct sound and feel from the others, taking you on a journey of sound, time, and place.
Guests at Vinyl Vault can enjoy a curated food menu from Mel’s favorites, so you have that classic American comfort food connected to the space. On the cocktail side, the drinks fit the room. Their bar program honors the classics with delicious cocktails with quality ingredients. A few favorites are the Jam Master Jay, a pineapple, mezcal, and vanilla-infused drink, and the Lucky ’47 Old Fashioned featuring root beer Demerara. With its mix of vintage sound, familiar comfort food, and carefully crafted cocktails, Vinyl Vault feels like a place built for listening and letting the music set the pace.
In 2024, Hurricane Helene ripped through Asheville’s River Arts District, changing everything overnight. Restaurants closed, bars flooded, and gathering places were lost. But Asheville, and its residents, knew how to bounce back, and the district has been busy rebuilding since. Part of that crew is the husband-and-wife duo Chris and Bryna Frosaker, owners of Joyful Noise. They believe in showing up, especially when it’s difficult, and creating something special in the face of adversity.
Joyful Noise is designed as a break from today’s chaotic digital world, giving guests a chance to put down their phones and spend some time going analog. They play entire sides of albums on vinyl, bringing back a time when listening to music was an intentional experience rather than a constant search for the next song. They pull the record, clean it, set it on the turntable, and let the artist’s tracklist play as intended through a vintage sound system. Most people don’t know, or don’t remember, just how good music can sound, and they’re proud to share that experience. Joyful Noise’s food program consists of small plates, sharing inspiration from Executive Chef Josiah McGaughey’s old-world European cooking experience with dishes and flavors from various Asian cuisines. In a district still finding its footing, Joyful Noise offers another reason to gather, slow down, and experience the kind of connection that Asheville has always done best.
For Groovers, listening to music doesn’t necessarily mean sitting quietly in the corner. The listening bar, located on Calhoun Street in downtown Charleston, is bringing the energy of the city’s 1990s music scene back to the same address where the original Groovers once stood. The owners leaned into that history throughout the space, with vintage photographs and posters paying homage to the DJs and crowds that once filled the room.
Unlike other listening lounges, Groovers isn’t about simply listening to an album from beginning to end. It has vinyl DJs, live music, disco nights, and themed programming, so the music can take the room from listening to dancing. Its calendar has included everything from vinyl sets and live bands to MTV Rewind nights and themed parties, giving the space a different soundtrack from night to night. The cocktail menu is intentionally tied to music, with drinks named after songs and artists. For example, the Purple Rain and Smoke on the Water are part of that music-inspired approach.
At Groovers, the music is meant to be experienced together. Grab a cocktail, catch a live set, or stick around when the DJ turns the room into a dance floor. It’s a listening bar that doesn’t ask you to sit still.
Ralph’s Listening Room is a cocktail bar and listening room in downtown Birmingham built around two equally important experiences: exceptional drinks and intentional music. The concept draws inspiration from listening bars and HiFi culture, as well as the craft and creativity of contemporary cocktail bars. At its core, Ralph’s is built around the idea that both music and drinks can create moments of discovery. A great record can introduce someone to a new artist, transport them to a particular place or time, or allow them to experience familiar music differently. A great cocktail can do the same by introducing unfamiliar ingredients, techniques, flavors, and ideas in a memorable, approachable way.
Rather than relying solely on a conventional background playlist, music at Ralph’s is intentionally selected and programmed. With over 1,000 records spanning genres, artists, and time periods, the team considers the flow of records, transitions, volume, energy, and atmosphere throughout the evening.
It’s a cocktail bar for people who care about what they drink, a listening room for people who care about what they hear, and an experience designed to welcome people, whether they are deeply knowledgeable about cocktails and music or simply curious to explore.
DeepCuts HiFi in Charlotte, North Carolina, is putting the sound system front and center. Located on South Boulevard in the former BackStage Lounge, the intimate listening bar comes from the team behind The Music Yard. DeepCuts was built around the idea that music should be something you experience, not just something playing in the background.
At the center of the space is a Void Acoustics high-fidelity sound system, with speakers positioned throughout the room to create an immersive sound without drowning out conversation. Vinyl-heavy DJ sets start the evening, then move through deep cuts, house, lo-fi, disco, jazz, soul, and funk before the room picks up later in the night. As dinner winds down, the tables clear and DeepCuts turns from listening room to dance floor.
The food and drinks are designed to keep the night going. The cocktail menu has classics such as their Void HiFi espresso martini, but also keeps things fresh with exciting ingredients like the Groove Therapy, which features reposado tequila, plum, thyme, lime, and triple sec. Their food menu includes Mediterranean-inspired small plates, such as lemon vodka shrimp cocktail and juicy wagyu beef sliders. And if you’re in the mood for something sweet to top off the night, their dessert menu has favorites like creamy cheesecake and a double chocolate cake with fresh strawberry compote.
With DJs, vinyl, craft cocktails, and a sound system designed to make the music feel important, DeepCuts HiFi offers a take on the listening bar that won’t keep you seated for long.
Coffee shop by day and bar by night, The Ibis, located in the sunny Soda Pop District of Wilmington, North Carolina, is spinning beats all day long. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese listening bar tradition, the intimate space places music at the center of the experience, pairing vinyl records and a high-fidelity sound system with a menu ranging from morning coffee to evening cocktails. The result is a place that feels equally suited for a slow start to the day or a night spent lingering over a drink and a good record.
If you’re craving a quiet morning with good coffee, Side A of their menu features classic espresso drinks and specialties such as their salted honey and bee pollen latte. As the day winds down, the mood shifts and Side B takes over with scratch-made cocktails designed to keep the evening going. One standout is the Nightcrawler, made with Jamaican rum, acidified orange, pineapple, ube, pandan, and coconut. Whether you’re there for the first coffee of the morning or a cocktail after dark, The Ibis gives Wilmington a place to settle in and stay awhile.
In In 2020, Basic Projects partners Kate and Ben Towill reimagined the Post House with a unique mission: pre- serving the Southern charm of Mount Pleasant’s Old Village while drawing inspiration from Ben’s picturesque up- bringing in Cornwall, England. In 2025, the couple moved back to England, and the MICHELIN Key-awarded property was acquired by Indigo Road Hospitality Group, which has preserved the ethos and culture while also maintaining steady upward growth, resulting in the property being named one of the 10 Best Inns in the Continental US by Travel + Leisure in 2026.
The property was built in 1896 on the corner of Venning and Pitt streets. While a getaway at the Post House Inn is the perfect backdrop for an idyllic Southern retreat, the English influence is undeniably at the heart of each room. Antique William Morris wall-paper adorns the walls, worn Persian rugs lie at the base of each ensuite, and local art is hung on gallery walls throughout the dining room.
The on-site restaurant offers locally sourced, coastal tavern fare, like Anson Mills cornbread, duck confit, or a casual bar burger. For after-dinner confections, many of the desserts come with recommended beverage pairings, emphasizing the detail-oriented, finely tuned spirit at the heart of the property.
If you’ve dreamed of truly getting away from it all, this bed-and-breakfast is just the place, set back from the Hammock Coast, 20 minutes south of downtown Georgetown. Stay in one of the five main house suites or rooms, with access to spalike bathrooms with soaking tubs and heated-seat Japanese toilets, or enjoy the privacy of your own rustic-luxe cottage equipped with king bedrooms, a remote-control fireplace, an outdoor hot tub, a grill, and a kitchenette with Keurig coffee maker and Bodum French press (BYO beans). The pet-friendly lodge, formerly a horse stable on this one-time private residence built in the 1800s, can accommodate up to eight guests and offers a full kitchen and a screened-in porch.
Cell service is spotty to nonexistent but Wi-Fi is excellent. Be prepared with bug spray so you can enjoy a walk around the grounds, lush with azalea bushes and Spanish moss and even a pond that’s home to two alligators. If you’re not dining in Georgetown, come with all the fixings for meals that can be prepared with a grill, two-burner cooktop (pots and pans included), or microwave. And for a highly recommended upgrade, the owners will provide an epic breakfast to the tune of their signature lemon ricotta pancakes with real maple syrup, maple blueberry sausage from local farm Chucktown Acres, fresh- squeezed orange juice, and berries.
While historic accommodations are not in short supply on the Charleston peninsula, peace and quiet certainly is—and that’s where The Ansonborough immediately stands apart. Tucked away three blocks north of the Charleston Market between East Bay Street and the Cooper River waterfront, with accessible on-site parking, this boutique inn, built in 1901, is fresh off a recent renovation that preserved historic features such as exposed brick and Charleston’s trademark high ceilings in a blend of industrial chic and modern deco. Each of the 45 rooms, studios, and suites is unique in layout and design, with a grand mix of brushed gold fixtures, antique subway tile, modern chandeliers, and touches of Regency styling.
The hotel offers unique spaces such as a rooftop garden where guests can lounge with cocktails from the first-floor bar while enjoying the steeples of the Charleston skyline, and a secret poker room in honor of the British Royal Navy officer, George Anson, who won the land that became the Ansonborough neighborhood in a card game. A full breakfast is served until 10 a.m. in the spacious lounge and lobby area.
Located in the heart of Historic Downtown Beaufort, Circa 1785 is a fully self-service historical inn offering five king suites. The federal-style 1785 home has a fascinating history as a key component of the Reconstruction Era in the Lowcountry, as the site was home to Mather School, which served to educate African American students following the Civil War.
The rooms are fresh but decadent, with canopy beds, meticulously restored hardwood, and luxurious marble bathrooms. For group stays, such as weddings, family reunions, or rehearsal dinners, the entire property can be rented out for up to 10 people.
With automatic check-in and parking available for registered guests, there is no on-site staffing, but assistance is only a call or text away. Guests can spend mornings enjoying complimentary Nespresso beverages on the front porch overlooking the historic waterfront or enjoy the evening at the honor-system wine bar on the second floor. Plenty of dining and shopping amenities are just a short walk away.
Set among the oak-lined streets of historic downtown Aiken, the Carriage House Inn offers guests a chance to experience Aiken’s history from the com- fort of a boutique retreat. Built in 1872 as a family residence, the property was far from its former glory when Anne Thomasson purchased it in 1986 with a vision to restore it. Renovations were completed in 2016, and the inn today boasts 37 rooms across three buildings that retain the original hardwood floors and restored windows. Guest rooms in the Pendleton Guest House open onto porches that wrap around the building, and guests can enjoy a view of down- town Aiken from the rooftop terrace.
There’s also a courtyard space between the Main Inn and the Pendleton Guest House, perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine. Located in the heart of downtown Aiken and steps from restaurants and shops, Carriage House Inn is the perfect retreat for visitors to experience the best of the history and modern beauty Aiken has to offer.
This historic property stands out for a host of reasons: It was once owned by a relative of Grover Cleveland, and General William Westmoreland regularly stayed in one of the suites. Owners Pontheolla Mack Abernathy and Paul Abernathy take turns in the kitchen preparing home-cooked Southern breakfasts (think sweet potato pancakes and crabcakes Benedict). The colonial-style property is set on what was once a 440-acre working farm that now boasts 4 acres of curated gardens. Rooms and suites offer clawfoot tubs, poster beds, chandeliers, and fireplaces, along with individual treats like a view of the English Knot garden and access to a rooftop porch. But we’ve saved the best for last: the vintage 1947 Southern Railway Caboose transformed into a queen-bed suite with a private deck and firepit.
Image courtesy of Abingdon Manor Inn and Restaurant
Tucked into the small town of Latta, Abingdon Manor is a hidden gem that rewards travelers willing to venture outside of Florence. Built in 1902 as the home of Dillon County’s first state senator, the stately mansion features 40 soaring columns across the front of the building, and large porches perfect for unwinding and enjoying the peaceful landscape. Four-poster beds and classic decor evoke the elegance of the early 20th century, while modern amenities like EV charging and massage services create a luxurious atmosphere for guests.
What truly sets Abingdon Manor apart is its acclaimed restaurant, which serves a gourmet, six-course, prix fixe dinner nightly, with drinks before dinner in one of the inn’s parlors. Ingredients are locally sourced, so dishes change seasonally. With an impressive selection of wines to pair with the meal, this fine-dining experience is a delightful indulgence.
Columbia doesn’t get enough love. On a recent trip with my sister, it hit me: Why had I never considered just how amazing South Carolina’s capital city was before? Three beautiful rivers, a thriving arts and music scene, nearby Congaree National Park, new and celebrated restaurants, and the Columbia Food & Wine Festival, all in the center of the state—this city is definitely worth the drive. While I’ve enjoyed my spring and summer visits, I recommend going in the fall and winter when the weather cools for outdoor adventure and football season is in full swing. Here’s my weekend guide to Soda City.
The Lantern Hotel
Friday
There are several cool places to stay in the region, but my favorite so far has been the Lantern Hotel. Situated in a former firehouse, the hotel has contemporary style with blue and gold accents and cozy rooms. Check in Friday evening and sit at the bar for dinner at Ladder 13, a chic Mediterranean dining concept from Charleston-based chef Kevin Johnson and executive chef Joseph Wolfson and start your weekend twirling pasta and cocktailing.
Saturday
Year round on Saturday mornings, Main Street opens to pedestrians for Soda City Market where you can browse fresh produce, secondhand denim, and local crafts with the alluring scent of street eats wafting through the air. Gathering residents, visitors, and local and regional small businesses, the market is my favorite way to experience Cola’s community.
Catch a Gamecocks football game in the afternoon, then head to the dimly-lit Lula Drake Wine Parlour for dinner. On one memorable visit, I sat by the window and filled up on gnudi (each little ricotta pillow is a heavenly bite), Korean barbecue (tangy and delicious), and a few staff-recommended pours. Across the street, don’t miss Hendrix, a rooftop bar where you can sip your drink with a skyline view.
Sunday
Sleep in on Sunday and head to All Good Books in Five Points for Southern pecan cold brew and iced matcha and pastries from JJ’s while you browse paperbacks. Visit the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden or the Columbia Art Museum in the afternoon. Stop by City Limits BBQ for lunch, helmed by pitmaster Robbie Robinson, for a platter of pork, collards, and jalapeno slaw.
After checkout, navigate to Congaree National Park and wander winding boardwalk trails through a peaceful forest of bald cypress trees. In the fall and winter you’ll enjoy a humidity- and bug-free experience. In the spring, if you’re lucky enough to win tickets, you may experience the synchronous firefly show, an annual natural phenomenon.
If you guessed my old Kentucky home as The Local Palate’s next state-wide newsletter, you’d be correct!
Hi, Erin Oliver here, reporting not just as Newsletter Content Manager for The Local Palate, but as your writer for The Guide: Kentucky. How lucky am I?
Hopewell Sourdough & Elmwood Eggs, Image courtesy of Erin Oliver
I grew up with incredible influences from Central and Eastern Kentucky, who possessed a reverence for the people and places that keep the Bluegrass fed. Visits to my grandparents in Paintsville meant home cooked meals with fresh produce from their garden over the hill, even in the winters, thanks to Pap’s canning collection. These stays meant tip-toeing in the kitchen to reach for “hidden” double-dipped chocolate peanuts from the farm stand right outside the county line, just to get caught from the mess of melted goodness I smudged all over creation. Summer breaks meant (begrudgingly) picking beans with my mom and big brother in our backyard in Georgetown, growing way too much zucchini, and not letting anyone leave our house without taking two or three or seventeen. I watched my parents manage their own garden, while simultaneously pouring into the pros. My mom’s Monday night lettuce wraps meant hearty ground beef from Hallstead Farms and Meats just down the road. Leisurely Saturday mornings meant eggs from Elmwood Stock Farm and sourdough English muffins from Hopewell Bake Exchange. Meals meant more than just eating—it was gratitude to our neighbors and the acknowledgement of work poured into every plate.
As I grew older, my hobbies centered around food; the farmer’s market became my playground, dining at farm-to-table restaurants embodied my ideal evening, and clinking glasses at distilleries and local wineries was the soundtrack to great gatherings.
Needless to say, I learned the value of loving the state’s food scene. I’ve developed a deep admiration for the farmers, chefs, and artisans who make Kentucky dynamic and delicious–and who often don’t get the culinary credit they deserve.
In case you didn’t know, our state’s food scene is booming.
Holly Hill Inn in Midway KY, Image courtesy of Talitha Schroeder
TANA in Louisville just became the first Taiwanese-American joint in the state, where chef Ming Pu makes dumplings so fresh and delicate you could cry. Brothers Restaurant in Campbellsville has folks fussing over their casual-upscale barbecue, well beyond its small-town residents (with brisket that tender, who can blame them?). Sweet Milk in Owensboro cannot only put your grandmother’s biscuits to shame, but also carry an impressive natural wine collection in addition to a novel cocktail menu. Corto Lima in Lexington keeps winning margarita awards for its iconic prickly pear–which is never not on my mind–while their neighbors at 3Ten are putting purple potatoes into their elixirs (which totally works, by the way). Right on the Bourbon Trail in Frankfort, The Stave makes the scenic route absolutely worth it with their vast bourbon collection and Southern Snack Plate (think: fried bologna, chow chow, pimento cheese) and happens to neighbor Castle & Key Distillery. Wayfarer Tavern in Dayton is breaking pizza barriers with their Pickle Power pie, with toppings like ridged potato chips and a house-made ranch.
Prickly Pear Marg at Corto Lima, Image courtesy of Erin Oliver
What you can expect from The Guide: Kentucky:
The most exciting places to dine–near you and worth the drive
Guides to neighborhoods off the beaten path
Staycation-worthy spots
Seasonal recipes worth cooking now
Profiles of the chefs and tastemakers leading their communities
It’s hard to put into words how diverse, rich, and powerful the culinary scene is in Kentucky, but I’m still going to try.
Strap in Kentucky–we’ve got some serious eating to do.
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Deb Paquette was attending college with no clear plan in place when she first learned about cooking school. “When I found out that there was one female to every 17 males in a classroom, I filled out the application at warp speed,” she says.
She embarked on her new path with dedication and enthusiasm, graduating from The Culinary Institute of America in 1978. Her newfound cooking career took her from New York to her home state of Florida and, when a job during the World’s Fair in Knoxville fell through, she ultimately found her way to Nashville.
Image courtesy of Top Hospitality
After working in several restaurants in and around town, she and her husband opened Zola in 1997. The welcoming fine-dining restaurant with its eclectic dining room delighted diners for 13 years with globally inspired fare (the paella was divine) served alongside hefty pours. It quickly earned a loyal following. Later, Paquette joined the 4Top Hospitality team and opened three restaurants: etch – Nashville in 2012, etc. in 2016, and etch – Franklin in 2024.
Her current concepts are led by executive chef Jess Lambert, and the sumptuous sweets are prepared in-house daily by pastry chef Megan Williams. “The menus are different at each restaurant but carry the same theme: global cuisine that is funky, fun, and fantastic,” she says.
etch, in the heart of downtown, has private dining rooms, an expansive bar program, and a chef’s bar with a view of the open kitchen. “It’s perfect for a business lunch, dinner before a game, or dessert following a visit to the symphony,” Paquette says. From the octopus and shrimp bruschetta to the pork osso bucco with saffron couscous, squash apricot purée, tzatziki, advieh pork sauce, almonds, and dill, mint, and fennel salad, Paquette’s dishes are beautifully layered with contrasting flavors and textures that create a colorful display on the plate. etch – Franklin (located in The Factory at Franklin) offers a similarly inspired menu plus a breezy patio that’s perfect for sipping cocktails.
Image courtesy of Top Hospitality
Tucked away on a quiet corner in Green Hills, etc. (short for etcetera) is the continuation of etch—on a smaller scale. There’s a cozy plant-lined outdoor dining area, happy hour specials, and an edited post-lunch, pre-dinner menu from 2-4 p.m. The za’atar crusted venison with spring vegetable rotolo, pomegranate red lentil hummus, and crunchy pistachio olive crumble—served beneath a zesty lemon herb compound butter—harkens back to the days of Zola and is a classic taste of Paquette’s signature style. This year marks a milestone for the cozy neighborhood gem; they celebrated their 10-year anniversary in August.
Paquette says her overall approach has stayed the same from the earliest days at Zola to the present. “We create food that makes people happy. We are in the hospitality business, and I aim to be hospitable,” she says. “The food is what has kept evolving and challenged me to be a better cook each day.”
Over the past 30 years, she’s had a front-row seat to the changes and challenges in Nashville’s culinary landscape. And, while her genuine hospitality and love of feeding people has remained constant, she says she has “chosen to surprise guests with flavor bombs that entertain your tastebuds and make you want to dance. She likens it to fashion: “Who knows what we will be wearing or eating in five years?”
Decades spent in a professional kitchen haven’t dampened the award-winning chef’s enthusiasm for a good meal at home. “We love to cook thick-cut pork chops. We brine them for 5 to 6 hours. When everything else is ready, they hit the grill (with my husband at the helm), seasoning them with a smoky sweet chili spice blend,” she says. “We’d add a salad and, of course, dessert.”
Like this made-for-fall coffee espresso poundcake with smoked apple whipped cream.
Try Paquette’s Coffee Espresso Pound Cake
Recipe by Deb Paquette
recipe
yields
1 cake
for the pound cake
1.5 cups butter
3 cups sugar
6 whole eggs, beaten well
1.5 cups milk
3.5 cups all purpose flour
1 T. baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup fine-ground espresso beans
for the smoked apple whipped cream
2 Granny Smith apples
2 cups heavy cream
3 gelatin sheets
½ cup brown sugar
2 T. smoked vinegar
Pinch of salt
for the japa caramel
2 Mantra Japa Milk Chai Stout beers
1 ½ cups sugar
for the chai chocolate sauce
1 cup milk
¼ cup water
2 cups chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips
1 T. chai spice (use your own or follow the recipe below!)
for the chai spice
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp ground ginger
1 T. cardamom
½ tsp allspice
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp clove
¼ tsp cayenne (optional)
for the spicy sweet potato sauce
2 lbs sweet potatoes
¼ lb butter
¼ cup candied ginger
½ – 1 tsp Sriracha
4oz ginger ale
steps
to make the pound cake:
Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees
Line a large bread loaf pan with parchment and coat with spray oil
Cream butter and sugar
Add eggs one at a time and mix thoroughly between each addition
Combine flour, salt and baking powder in large bowl
Alternatively add flour mixture and milk. (DO NOT OVERBEAT!)
Place in pan and cook for 1 hour. Check before taking out – it may need up to 15 more minutes. (Convection ovens will not need additional time)
Cool cake on cooling rack. Loosen edges with a knife and flip cake from pan.
Serve cake with caramel, chocolate, and sweet potato sauce!
to make the smoked apple whipped cream:
Peel and quarter 2 granny smith apples and smoke at 86 degrees for one hour
In a small pot, add 2 cups heavy cream and chopped apples
Simmer on low heat for 20 min.
Meanwhile, put 3 sheets of gelatin in cold water to bloom. When simmering is done, add gelatin (no water) to the cream mixture and dissolve.
Put all ingredients in a blender with brown sugar, smoked vinegar and a pinch salt and blend well
Chill cream for 2-3 hours before whipping
Place ingredients in a small mixer and whip until fluffy. (Will last up to a week!)
to make the japa caramel:
In small pot, combine beer and sugar
Let simmer slowly until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon
Remove from heat
to make the chai chocolate sauce:
In a small sauce pan, bring milk and water to a simmer.
Add chocolate and chai spice (add more spice if you’d like!)
If you need to thin out your sauce a bit, just add a touch of milk
It’s a monumental year to get to answer that question. First of all, the state continues to receive acknowledgments as a destination for tourism and hospitality: two properties have been named in Travel + Leisure’s 10 Best Inns in the Continental US; James London’s Chubby Fish was again listed in the top half of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list for 2026; and four deserving restaurants have MICHELIN stars to defend, including Scoundrel in Greenville. We asked some of these chefs to share their truly local recipes, including 2023 South Carolina Chef Ambassador Erica McCier’s black-eyed pea gumbo.
Then, there’s the role South Carolina played in the American Revolution. Our column 250 Years highlights some of the tangible history still visible around the state, from the clever strategy of Daniel Morgan and the repeat heroism of teenager Dicey Langston to the dark records of enslavement and colonization of land on which Native American tribes relied.
With this in mind, we put our focus into some of the state’s lesser-told stories, like the Gullah Geechee Seafood Trail, deeply rooted in the creativity and tenacity of displaced peoples who built a thriving culture along the coast; and the soul food of the Pee Dee Country, where humble ingredients meet culinary innovation. We also asked writer Erin Perkins to check out some unique camping experiences from Coast to Mountains, whether you’re a kayaker who wants to unplug or a glamper in search of comfort and connection with nature.
Don’t forget to explore the local festivals that celebrate a range of South Carolina’s specific talents, as well as products made right here in the Palmetto State. Remember, this issue is just the tip of the iceberg, and we hope it inspires you to go in search of something local.
It’s no secret that Baton Rouge is home to classic Cajun, Creole, and Southern flavors. But, the city offers underrated spots that put their own creative twists on the Spanish, French, African, Asian, and Native American cultures that create a unique melting pot of cuisine.
Chow Yum
Crawfish boils are seasoned with garlic butter and lemongrass and served with edamame at Chow Yum. Cajun and French flavors influence the elevated Latin American dishes at Mestizo’s Louisiana Mexican Cuisine.
Baton Rouge offers those familiar Louisiana favorites with a little lagniappe (something extra).
Nationally Recognized
In 2025, the Michelin Guide launched its first-ever American South regional guide, and Baton Rouge landed on the list. Elsie’s Plate & Pie earned a recommendation for its famous savory and dessert pies while The Saint, located at the Saint Francisville Inn just 30 minutes north of downtown Baton Rouge, earned recommendation for its upscale Creole-American cuisine.
Baton Rouge also earned a visit from Guy Fieri on his hit series “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” on Food Network. The show filmed at multiple Baton Rouge stops, spotlighting Phil’s Oyster Bar for its charbroiled oysters, Iverstine Butcher for its farm-to-table cuts, Dempsey’s for its flavorful gumbo and Elsie’s for its delicious pies.
The Local Palate also named Baton Rouge as one of the South’s Top 10 Culinary Towns in 2025 as part of its readers’ poll.
Hidden Gems Under the Bridge
Tucked under I-10 between the Garden District and Louisiana State University, the Perkins Overpass area is a foodie’s paradise in Baton Rouge. This neighborhood is bustling with over a dozen restaurants, bars, and eateries, serving up everything from classic seafood and comfort food to sweet treats. The area is packed with restaurants for every lifestyle and pace, from the swanky lounge at The Colonel’s Club to pizza at local favorite Digiulio Brothers Italian Café. Perkins Overpass is the walkable district to taste your way through Baton Rouge.
From po-boy shops to fine dining, Baton Rouge has a food scene that’ll fit your pace.
At The Darling Oyster Bar in Savannah, shrimp and grits is more than a menu staple. For Marcus Brown Phillips, it’s the kind of dish that feels like home.
“Any restaurant I go to, I always look for shrimp and grits,” Phillips says. “I grew up eating shrimp and grits a lot. It was a big dish in my house.”
At The Darling Oyster Bar, where Phillips has worked since 2019, that familiar Southern combination gets a version all its own. The restaurant’s shrimp and grits layers local ingredients and coastal flavors into a dish that feels right at home in Savannah.
Phillips starts with shrimp in a hot pan before adding fennel, red peppers, and ham. A shake of Old Bay brings in another layer of seasoning, followed by a generous helping of butter. Once everything has cooked down, he adds the ingredient he considers essential to getting the dish right: The Darling’s housemade shrimp stock.
“The key to the shrimp and grits is the shrimp stock,” Phillips says.
Made by simmering shrimp with celery, carrots, salt, pepper, and Old Bay, the stock concentrates the briny, savory flavor of the seafood and forms the base of the sauce. As it reduces with the butter and vegetables, it thickens into a rich coating for the shrimp.
The grits keep the dish rooted close to home. The Darling has sourced its grits locally for years from Marsh Hen Mill on Edisto Island, preparing them simply with water, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. That creamy base is topped with the shrimp and its buttery pan sauce before crispy brussels sprouts add texture and acidity. Finished with red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper, they bring a bright counterpoint to the richness underneath.
For Phillips, part of the appeal is just how approachable the dish remains. “Anybody can make it. It’s real easy,” he says. “It gives a home feeling.”
That sense of comfort extends beyond the plate. Phillips has spent years growing in The Darling’s kitchen, a place he credits with giving him opportunities to advance his career.
“I’ve gotten way further than I have in all the restaurants that I’ve been to,” he says. “The Darling is my place to be.”
It’s a fitting sentiment for a dish built around the same idea: a Savannah take on a Southern classic that, above all else, tastes like home.
