In a recent update to the eagerly anticipated Club + Resort Chef of the Year competition, Jeremy Halker, the Executive Chef of Spring Island (S.C.) Club, has announced his withdrawal from this year’s contest for personal reasons. The competition, renowned for showcasing culinary prowess and innovation, will undoubtedly miss Halker’s unique blend of creativity and experience.
Kevin Murphy, Executive Chef of Edgartown (Mass.) Yacht Club, is set to compete in the 2024 Chef of the Year culinary competition.
Kevin Murphy, Executive Chef of Edgartown (Mass.) Yacht Club, is set to replace Halker in the competition. Since April 2020, Murphy has demonstrated exceptional leadership and culinary expertise, particularly in managing high-profile events. His prestigious career includes roles as Executive Chef at Happy Hollow Club, Chef De Cuisine at Omni Hotels & Resorts, and Executive Sous Chef at River Oaks Country Club, in addition to his earlier position as Sous Chef at The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel.
The Club + Resort Chef of the Year competition, a highlight of the Chef to Chef Conference, is scheduled for March 5th, 2024, in Austin. Competitors, including Conor Ball, Anthony Capua, Chloe Dykes, and now Kevin Murphy, will engage in a dynamic culinary battle, each striving to win the title of Club + Resort Chef of the Year and up to $4,000 in cash prizes.
Participants will have 60 minutes to prepare and plate two dishes, utilizing a comprehensive selection of ingredients, equipment, and plateware. This challenge not only tests their culinary abilities but also their strategic thinking and adaptability in a competitive environment. Each chef will receive assistance from an apprentice, fostering teamwork in this high-pressure situation.
Including Murphy adds an exciting dimension to the competition, introducing fresh perspectives and new culinary challenges. Murphy’s involvement highlights the event’s role as a showcase for the depth of talent in the club industry.
As the competition draws near, anticipation mounts for an event that promises to be a memorable display of culinary expertise. The winner will receive $4000, the title of Club + Resort Chef of the Year, and a feature in Club + Resort Chef, making the event a focal point of the Chef to Chef Conference and exemplifying the innovation and excellence characteristic of the club chef community.
Those interested in volunteering as apprentices for this distinctive culinary contest should contact Joanna DeChellis at [email protected].
The Club + Resort Chef of the Year Culinary Competition is vital in the Chef to Chef Conference, offering an exciting, live cooking experience for attendees and competitors.
Former Club + Resort Chef of the Year winners include:
2023: Sam Brod, CEC, Executive Chef of The Landings Golf & Athletic Club
2022: Robert Meitzer, CEC, AAC, Forest Lake Country Club
2022: James Allen, CEC, Blackthorn Club at the Ridges
2020: Scott Craig, CEC, CCA, WCMC, Myers Park Country Club
2020: J. Kevin Walker, CMC, AAC Ansley Golf Club
2019: Eva Barrios, CEC, Austin Country Club
2019: Nelson Millán, San Antonio Country Club
2018: Brandon Gross, The Metropolitan Club of the City of Washington D.C
2017: Todd Walline, CEC, CCA, Blue Hills Country Club
2016: Thayer Johnson, Castlewood Country Club
