By Ally MorrisonJeffrey Compton was just taking his cooking back to his roots when he won the 7th Annual Alabama Seafood Cook-Off on May 18.Compton, executive chef at a new restaurant opening in Homewood called The Battery, grew up in Destin, Florida, eating fresh seafood and produce from the Gulf region.“The competition entailed using … [Read more...]

By Ally MorrisonGirlspring invited chefs, caterers and other industry professionals from the Birmingham Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International to share information about culinary and hospitality careers with girls in fourth grade to high school.Guests of the April 30 event learned about the many ways to be involved in the culinary world, hearing … [Read more...]

By Donna CorneliusAshley McMakin has a deft hand at putting the right ingredients together. Since opening Ashley Mac’s 15 years ago, she’s come up with dishes that have made her business a real success story. Now, she’s cooking up a project that will give Ashley Mac’s fans a chance to re-create some of her favorite recipes in their own kitchens: a cookbook.The … [Read more...]

By Ally MorrisonWhen she was 7 years old, Joy Smith hopped into her mother’s car for a Sunday drive in her hometown of Romeo, Michigan. During the drive, her mother, Corinne, pointed out of the car window to a nearby shed and told Joy it would make the cutest restaurant. As they drove by, Corinne explained how she would serve pot roast on Thursdays and chicken pot … [Read more...]

  By Donna CorneliusTwo Birmingham area chefs, a restaurant and an innovative wine shop made the list of 2022 James Beard Awards semifinalists.Adam Evans of Automatic Seafood and Oysters in Lakeview and Timothy Hontzas of Johnny’s Restaurant in Homewood both were nominated for Best Chef: South. Johnny’s also is in the running for a Beard … [Read more...]