Show Your Southern Pride

It is a well-known fact that Southerners take pride in their culture and heritage. That pride shines extra bright here each year during Sea Island’s Southern Grown Festival. This fabulous foray into all things Southern will return on Friday, August 31 through Sunday, September 2 and anticipation is building already. This fourth annual commemoration of the distinctive culture of the South gives guests ample opportunity to taste, sip, learn about, and experience this region’s unique cuisine, craftsmanship, music, and tradition. Past years’ festival events have brought the very finest musical talent, culinary genius, and unparalleled art and craftsmanship to the grounds of our own storied pillar of Southern hospitality: Sea Island Resort. This year will be no different. Chef Kenny Gilbert and Gena Knox will be dishing up deliciousness and some Southern musical groups who’ve amassed large and loyal followings: Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors and NEEDTOBREATHE will provide the melodic entertainment over the weekend.

On Friday, the festivities begin at 7:00 p.m. on The Cloister’s Black Banks Terrace with the Garden & Gun Kick-off Dinner and a Show. This evening steeped in Southern tradition will feature the culinary stylings of guest chef Kenny Gilbert, prohibition-styled libations, and the fabulous music of Nashville-based band, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors with the gorgeous setting of the Black Banks River as the evening’s backdrop. Cumberland Blue guitarist and blues musician Hank Compton will open the show.

On Saturday, the Southern Grown Marketplace presented by Southeastern Wildlife Exposition will be open between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Artisan vendors celebrate nature and wildlife through fine art, education, and sport. Vendors include fine accessory makers Kingfisher Leatherworks, Hook n Hide, Brackish Bowties, clothiers Grady Ervin and Tom Beckbe, jewelry designers Christina Jervey and Mark Lexton, artists C. Ford Riley and Jane Ingols, among many other unique Southern artisans and purveyors.

It’s the “How to be a Southerner” workshop sessions taking place between 10:00 a.m and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday that Southern Grown Festival organizer Sandra Porter was most excited to tell us about as an added element of fun this year. These workshops and demonstration sessions could be considered a primer on the finer points of being a Southerner. They touch on the very keystones of Southern culture: bow ties and booze, hounds and hospitality, sporting and Southern cooking. This is your chance to learn Southern heritage and culture from the best. At the time of print, the planned Sea Island and Garden & Gun inspired sessions included the following:

“A Culinary Show and Tell with Chef Kenny Gilbert” will feature the talents of former Sea Island

chef and “Top Chef” season seven contestant Kenny Gilbert. Although he was born and raised in suburban Cleveland and received his degree in culinary arts from The Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, Chef Gilbert has a passion for the cuisine of the Deep South. He’s no stranger to Sea Island or the Southern Grown Festival, having showcased his skills at the Meat in 2016. In his session, you’ll be able to learn how to create one of his favorite recipes and have ample opportunity to sample and savor the flavors as well.

Sea Island’s star mixologist, Nic Wallace, one of the highest ranked bartenders in the United States will teach you how to “Pour the Perfect Bloody Mary.” A classic libation to kick-off weekend mornings and Sunday brunches in the South, the Bloody Mary is far more than just tomato juice, spice mix, and vodka and most Southerners have their own preferred twist on the concoction. Wallace will share with you his secret for the best Bloody.

Because the Bloody Mary is certainly not the sole focus of the Southerner’s love for libations, Monica Lavin will demonstrate how to elevate your home bar in “Raise Your Bar.” The blogger and style-maker knows that hospitality is the signature of every Southerner and it is an unwritten rule that you should always be ready to welcome guests, even if they are unexpected. She’ll show you how to elevate your at-home-bar by stocking essentials that go beyond the “must-have” liquors and bar glassware, such as monogrammed cocktail napkins and vintage cocktail skewers, and demonstrate some creative cocktail menu ideas.

Cookbook author Gena Knox will present “Secrets of a Southern Tastemaker,” in which she

demonstrates how to put a healthier spin on some of her favorite dishes. She’ll offer creative ways to cook fresh and simple without spending hours in the kitchen. The approachable recipes and beautiful photography in her cookbooks will inspire you to do your own culinary creating at home.

No Southerner’s education would be complete without knowing how to properly open and eat their oysters, so don’t miss “Mind Over Mollusk – Oyster Shucking 101.” From shell to saltine, learn all you need to navigate an oyster bar or the football season oyster roasts.

“A Broadfield Experience Snapshot” gives attendees a chance to meet the talented team visiting from Broadfield, Sea Island’s 5,800 acre sporting lodge. Phi Corbitt, Chris Kennedy and Wes Schlosser will present bird dogs, falconry, and gun talk in this always interesting look at the world of outdoor pursuits.

Last, but not least, Sea Island’s newly named full-time historian, Wheeler Bryan, Jr., the

quintessential Southern gentleman will demonstrate “How to Tie a Bow-tie and Other Southern Mannerisms.” A Southern style guide and pointer on proper etiquette for gentlemen, this workshop promises to touch on those little details that add the perfect polish.

We had a chance to chat with Wheeler and asked if he could share some tips with us without giving away what was under his hat for the presentation. Wheeler’s smooth reply: “Every good Southern gentleman knows that no hats should be worn inside the house, so there’s nothing to keep under one.” He knows his game!

Wheeler is known at Sea Island for his impeccable attire and his ever-present bowtie. When I asked why he chooses to sport a bow-tie, Wheeler explained, “You wear a bowtie to distinguish yourself. It sets you apart from everyone else. It was my way of branding myself. When I would meet with people, it made an impression. They’d remember me as ‘the bowtie guy,’ so it left a mark.” While Wheeler’s mother taught him how to tie his bowtie properly, he explains that there are in fact several ways to tie a bowtie, and he intentionally ties his just a bit off-kilter. “It’s a great way to get people to make contact and start conversation.” He chuckles, “Men, take note: pretty ladies will come over to straighten your tie.”

Other than the element of personal distinction, Wheeler also explains that bow ties are practical because they don’t get in the way, you don’t have to worry about their length, and there’s no concern about coffee stains. “Whether you’re putting on the classic blue blazer or dressing up in a tuxedo, every man should own at least one real (not clip-on) bow tie and know how to tie it properly.” Some other rules of thumb: Ball caps are suitable at ballgames and on the dashboard of your truck. Flip-flops for men are a no-no. “That’s why there are Sperrys.”

Beyond the bowtie, Wheeler plans to discuss other Southern mannerisms (pun intended) for gentlemen, including keeping extra dress shirts on hand when away from home, the importance of knowing the difference between a handkerchief and a pocket square, and the proper way to carry both, and what items you should always keep in your pocket and in your truck. His workshop session is sure to be a fun one and, gentlemen, ladies DO love a man who pays attention to detail and has a sense of personal style.

On Saturday night, Grammy- nominated South Carolina band NEEDTOBREATHE will take center stage on Rainbow Island as headliners for the Southern Grown Concert. Opening for NEEDTOBREATHE is Wilder, a group that's been called Nashville’s best new alternative rock band. You’ll want to come out early to enjoy food truck fare and beverages at the pre-concert shindig. Sunset fun overlooking the marsh and great music under the stars in this gorgeous setting is hard to beat.

Sunday, the Southern Grown Marketplace presented by Southeastern Wildlife Exposition will continue from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. so you can nab those purchases you eyed on Saturday. The perfect weekend send-off will be the Southern Grown Sunday Brunch at The Beach Club. Enjoy an oceanside brunch with all the traditional Southern fare, including Bloody Marys, of course! And there will be live music to blend with the sound of the waves. What an ideal way to close out a fabulous festival.

All access-ticket packages are $425 and include all events and concerts, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as the hospitality suite on Friday and Saturday, and a welcome bag. A ticket for Friday’s Garden & Gun Kick-Off Dinner & Show with concert by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors is $160. A ticket for Saturday’s Southern Grown Concert featuring NEEDTO BREATHE is $75. Tickets can be purchased at southerngrown.com, where you can also find detailed information about all events. You won’t want to miss this distinctly Southern celebration!

                                                *     *     *     *      * 

Another way to embrace your identity as a Southerner is through cooking traditional Southern

fare. To this end, Sea Island is pleased to announce the release of their new cookbook Soul of the South to celebrate its 90th anniversary. Written by Sarah Anschutz Hunt, the cookbook is part of a two book set, with the companion being Spirit of the West, celebrating The Broadmoor and its centennial anniversary. The cookbooks feature more than 50 recipes and traditions inspired by the distinct culture of each award-winning resort and also examine their rich histories as well. The Anschutz family has placed Sea Island and The Broadmoor into a 100-year trust to preserve these uniquely American experiences for generations to come. In Soul of the South, Sarah shares her experiences visiting Sea Island and enjoying suppers overlooking the marshes on Rainbow Island. It is from these fond family memories and the celebrated kitchens of the resorts that the recipes for the cookbooks were compiled. Describing the resorts as treasured gathering places for families and friends, Hunt said, “I hope that these cookbooks inspire readers to celebrate time with their loved ones and rekindle fond memories of their times at these beloved resorts. “

The cookbook set retails for $85 and can be purchased at Sea Island’s retail outlets and on the website at shop.seaisland.com. Sea Island has generously shared with us two of the classic recipes from the resort that are included in the cookbook, so you can add them to your recipe book of Southern staples. What could be more Southern than fried chicken and mac & cheese?

Pimento Mac & Cheese

(Serves 8-10)

Ingredients:

1 lb. rigatoni

8 oz. block Velveeta cheese

8 oz. extra sharp white cheddar

1 stick butter

1 Tbsp. garlic, minced

1 Tbsp. shallot, minced

2 qts. whole milk

2 c. pimento peppers, diced

2 c. breadcrumbs

Salt to taste

Tabasco to taste

Preparation:

Cook rigatoni in pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Preheat over to 350 degrees. Cut Velveeta and cheddar into large cubes. Melt butter in large pot, add garlic and shallot, and lightly cook until tender. Add milk and bring to a simmer. Begin whisking in cheese, stirring constantly until all cheese pieces have melted. Season with salt and Tabasco to taste (should not be spicy, unless desired). Simmer until all cheese pieces have melted. Fold in diced pimentos. Strain cooked pasta and place into a 9”x13” glass pan. Pour cheese sauce over pasta. (It should be a bit soupy but should not splash.) Lightly cover the top with breadcrumbs and bake 30-40 minutes until top is golden brown and cheese sauce has reduced to creamy consistency.  

Honey Money Fried Chicken (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces

For Buttermilk Marinade:

1 qt. buttermilk

6 eggs

1/4 c. Cajun spice

1 Tbsp. dry mustard

3 Tbsp. salt

1 Tbsp. garlic powder

1 Tbsp. onion powder

For Seasoned Flour:

3 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. cornstarch

3 Tbsp. dry mustard

3 Tbsp. onion powder

2 Tbsp. kosher salt

1 Tbsp. cayenne pepper

For Honey Money Sauce:

(Makes about 3 cups)

2 c. local wildflower honey

1 c. hot water

1 Tbsp. blackening seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Mix buttermilk marinade ingredients well, then add chicken. Marinate chicken 24 hours. After marinating, remove chicken from liquid and pat dry. Preheat fryer oil to 350 degrees. Place chicken in seasoned flour mixture and coat generously. Let chicken stand 10 minutes while coated with flour mixture. During this time, make Honey Money Sauce by placing honey into medium mixing bowl and, with a whisk, slowly incorporate hot water until homogenous. (You may not need all of the water.) Add blackening spice, and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. Fry chicken for 10 minutes or until internal temperature is 155 degrees. Let chicken rest in a warm place until ready to serve. If you prefer chicken more well done, cook an extra 5 minutes in the fryer or remove from fryer and bake in a 325 degree oven for 15 minutes. Toss chicken in Honey Money Sauce and serve. For a true Southern twist, serve with waffles!

                                                  *      *     *     *     *     

We’re always thrilled for any opportunity to celebrate our island community and the Southern culture and heritage that makes it so special. We hope to see you at the festival enjoying the wonderful music and fabulous food in gorgeous Sea Island settings that show off exactly how beautiful the South can be.