Kyle Bryner
There are so many reasons to love Half-Mile Farm, but perhaps none more engaging than its Hosted Events. Each sets off its own ripple of creativity, an invitation to discover, taste, or experience something new. Half-Mile Farm has become known for bringing together passionate culinary talents and giving inn guests the rare pleasure of meeting the people behind the food.
That spirit gets a particularly spirited workout December 4-6, when the luxury country inn closes its Hosted Events season with the Red, White and Blue SEC Tailgate—a weekend of football, fire pits, barbecue and good-natured Southern rivalry. And for the barbecue, they’ve brought in a champion.
Blue Hound BBQ pitmaster Kyle Bryner arrives fresh from winning Food Network’s BBQ Brawl: Flay v. Chauhan v. Lofaso, where ten episodes of smoke, sausage, campfire cooking and culinary curveballs earned him the title Master of ‘Cue. His route to the trophy included being drafted by Bobby Flay, stolen mid-season by Maneet Chauhan and a pivotal chili challenge featuring a black bean and chorizo recipe borrowed from his son, who had recently beaten him with it at a Tennessee cook-off. The chili won, too.
Bryner is no stranger to Highlands. His fine-dining career included executive chef positions in Highlands and Cashiers before he and his wife opened Blue Bike Cafe in Highlands in 2019. A pandemic-era pivot eventually led to Blue Hound BBQ, now housed in a former pharmacy in downtown Dillard, Georgia.
There, Bryner practices what he calls “Mountain BBQ,” marrying Texas technique to Appalachian ingredients and traditions. At Half-Mile Farm, his smoke and fire will mingle with the earthy flavors of Dream Big Mushrooms and the creativity of Half-Mile Farm’s own culinary team—a combination promising considerably more than the usual tailgate fare.
The weekend begins Friday from 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. with a social hour in the Woodland View Room, where guests can meet Bryner and sample his award-winning barbecue alongside house-made hors d’oeuvres. Paul Jones provides live music through 8:00 P.M.
Saturday is game day. From 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. there are smoker-fresh favorites, Half-Mile Farm’s secret boiled peanuts, snacks from the grill and a Bloody Mary bar, with a fire crackling in the Cowboy Cauldron. Later come more music and the Big Game on the big screen in the Woodland View Room. Chef-prepared breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings complete the weekend.
For one December weekend, the inn’s customary tranquility gives way to barbecue smoke, football loyalties, tall tales around the fire and the particular pleasure of discovering what happens when talented people are invited to come and play.
The Red, White and Blue SEC Tailgate takes place December 4-6 at Half-Mile Farm, a five-minute drive from downtown Highlands, and is complimentary and exclusive to overnight guests. Specialty cocktails are also available for purchase at J. Henry Farmhouse Tavern throughout the weekend. To attend, book your stay at HalfMileFarm.com.
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