Acclaimed Chefs of the South

Written By: Jenny King | Issue: 2019/01 - Winter

Highlands’ luxury country inn, Half-Mile Farm, is continuing the Chefs in the House series in 2019. 

Attendees get up-close-and-personal with some of The South’s most acclaimed chefs while experiencing amazing cuisine from all over the nation.  Limited seating makes for memorable evenings amid the gorgeous lakeside setting of this unique historical property.

The first Chefs in the House dinner in the new year will take place on January 19 and feature Chef Matthew Basford, from Atlanta’s iconic restaurant, Canoe.  He specializes in putting his own spin on fresh, seasonal New American dishes.  He will be joined by the president of California-based DAOU Vineyards, Karen Hunt.

Following Chef Basford, Half-Mile Farm will welcome Chef Michael Wilson of Domenica in New Orleans and Sommelier Nick Demos of Tryon Distributing in Charlotte on Saturday, February 23.

Wilson’s first job was in a kitchen at the age of 15.  After graduating with honors from Montana State University and working as a field biologist for a few years, Wilson decided to go back to his career as a cook.  His culinary journey led him back to his hometown of New Orleans and ultimately to Domenica.  He was named Executive Chef at PIZZA domenica, Domenica’s casual dining spin-off.  He later became the Chef de Cuisine at Shaya, which opened in early 2015 and in the beginning of 2016, he returned to Domenica as Chef de Cuisine.  He now leads the eclectic “wood oven” kitchen as Executive Chef.  Wilson focuses on fresh, flavorful ingredients and revered techniques to create modern versions of classic Italian dishes.

And mark your calendars now, because March’s dinner will bring Chef Kevin Johnson of Charleston’s The Grocery on the 23.  He will be joined by Alycia Mondavi of Napa Valley’s Aloft Wines and Carolinian Gwen Collins of Epiphany Wines.

Johnson is a three-time semi-finalist for the James Beard Award: Best Chef, Southeast category.  He and his wife opened their market-turned-gathering place in Charleston’s Upper King Street area back in 2011.   While it doesn’t pull in the same national press as some big-name darlings, The Grocery has steadily bloomed into one of the city’s most remarkable and welcoming restaurants as it focuses on new spins of Lowcountry favorites.  Active in many events outside the restaurant, Johnson was the headlining chef at Outstanding in the Field’s 2013 dinner in South Carolina as well as the 2014 Lowcountry Field Feast benefitting Lowcountry Local First – a favorite charity.

Magic is sure to happen as Half-Mile Farm continues to pair these talented chefs with its tranquil mountain vistas.  However, these intimate dinners have been extremely popular and seating is limited. Call (828)787-2635 or (828) 787-2620 to make your reservations now.