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Favorite Foodies

Aiken Food Creators Dish on Their Favorite Menu Items and What Restaurants They Haunt on Their Nights Off

MICHAEL ALLEN

Head Chef, Chief Cook and Bottle Washer of The Legends Grille 

Favorite Menu Item: Sea Bass Honey Almandine. It’s a cold water fish with a mild flavor. Pairing it with my buttery honey almondine sauce sets this dish on an adventure your taste buds will enjoy. 

Favorite Local Restaurant: My go to places are Prime Steakhouse or CasaBella. I know the owners of both; they share the same passion for preparing fine cuisine for their customers. 

CHAD JAJCZYK & JEFF HAIRSTON

Chef De Cuisine Lunch & Chef/Owner of Whiskey Alley

First Food Industry Job: Chef Chad was a cook at Pizza Hut. Chef Jeff cleaned floors at Resch’s Bakery in Columbus, Ohio.

Favorite Menu Item: Shrimp and Grits. It’s a unique blend of classic shrimp and grits with New Orleans-style BBQ shrimp. (Chef Jeff)

Favorite Local Restaurant: Fuse offers a very inventive menu. I love supporting other downtown culinary enthusiasts. (Chef Chad) Grumpy’s has really good pub food. (Chef Jeff)

PAIGE CHAPMAN HARDEN

Restaurant Manager/Pastry Chef of Betsy’s Round the Corner

First Food Industry Job: Bakery Director for Very Vera’s mail order cake company

Favorite Menu Item: For savory, the Build Your Own Pimento Cheese Grits Cakes!

Favorite Local Restaurant: I love Aiken Fish House. Before my dad passed away, he loved to go there with me. We loved the crab cakes and he couldn't get enough of their hush puppies!

RANDY STAMM

Proprietor of Prime Steakhouse

First Food Industry Job: I grew up in the restaurant business, but my first paying job was to run the food court at a place in New Jersey where they bussed in underprivileged kids from New York so they could enjoy a day in the country.

Favorite Menu Item: Pork Chop; it’s dry-aged and brined. If it weren’t for the shape you would think it was a steak, and the Porterhouse for two allows you to enjoy filet mignon and strip.

Favorite Local Restaurant: Apizza di Napoli. Cliff’s pizza is as fine as I’ve ever had anywhere.

ASHLEY ELVIS & CASEY YOUNG

Head Cheese Cutter & Executive Meat Slinger (co-owners) of Board in Aiken

Biggest foodie influences: We both come from families with mamas and grandmamas who loved to be in the kitchen. We love to travel and try new foods and experiences.

Favorite Local Restaurant: Juniper in Ridge Spring is always worth the drive, and the Wilcox never disappoints especially if a YogaTini is involved!

JOSHUA COCKE

Executive Chef of Jameson McDubby’s

First Food Industry Job: Working the grill at Burger King.

Favorite Menu Item: Our Corned Beef is different than you will find anywhere else. It is braised, smoked and shingled and it is delicious.

Favorite Local Restaurant: Mack’s has great sandwiches.

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