Myrtle Beach, S.C. Chef Ernest Bledsoe Named "Grand Champion" Of 2008 Southeastern Chefs Competition

Pawleys Island, S.C. (PRWEB) February 13, 2008 -- Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club's executive chef, Ernest Bledsoe was named "Grand Champion" of the Myrtle Beach Chapter of the American Culinary Federation's 7th Annual Hot Food Competition. The competition of Southeastern chefs was held during the Annual Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Supply Show of the Southeast Jan. 29-31.

Chef Bledsoe competed against 70 chefs from North and South Carolina, and as far away as Connecticut and Michigan. Bledsoe received a gold medal for his crab crusted grouper and seared scallops with a shiitake mushroom, brussel leaf and leek ragout, roasted sweet potatoes and crab cream. At the end of the competition judges named him "Grand Champion" of the event.

"Ernest has been such a great addition to our team and it's a joy to see him win such a prestigious honor," said Jann Walker, marketing director at Pawleys Plantation. "To also have three other chefs from Pawleys medal in this event is really a testament to the level of cuisine we offer our guests."

In addition to Bledsoe's honor, three other Pawleys Plantation chefs received medals during the event. Nicholas Huckabee, sous chef, received a silver medal for his marinated beef skirt steak with roasted red pepper mash, roasted beets and parsnips and brandy jus. Brandon Wallace received a bronze medal for his roasted pork loin with natural jus, oven dried tomatoes and roasted sweet potatoes, and Leon Nesbitt, kitchen manager, received a bronze medal for his bronze beef with sunset potato mix and grilled leeks.

About Pawleys Plantation

Pawleys Plantation, a 582-acre resort and golf course community in Pawleys Island, S.C., is nestled among moss-draped oaks, natural wetlands and salt marshes. Bordered on the south by a 600-acre nature preserve, Pawleys Plantation is the South Carolina Lowcountry's finest property offering visitors local catering, beautiful banquets, and an elegant 4,500 square foot ballroom. Pawleys Plantation also offers one of the Grand Strand's premier meeting facilities at its 6,500 square foot conference center.

Conveniently located near a wide variety of cultural and recreational amenities, Pawleys Plantation is approximately one hour from Charleston, S.C., a city well known for its Southern grace and charm; the historic port of Georgetown, S.C., is less than 15 minutes south on U.S. 17. More than 100 golf courses and 1,000 restaurants are in nearby Myrtle Beach.

Pawleys Plantation has been recognized as one of South Carolina's best sites for corporate retreats, private vacations and golf getaways. The nation's top golf publication, Golf Digest applauded Pawleys Plantation's "spacious and private villa accommodations ? along with fine clubhouse dining and after-round relaxation in the Palmetto Pub." While Convention South, wrote about meetings on the rise at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club, T&L Golf Magazine rated Pawleys Plantation among the top three places to stay for golf groups.

More information is also available online at www.PawleysPlantation.com or by calling Pawleys Plantation at (800) 367-9959.

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