MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (WMBF) — Ciao Italian Restaurant is one of 12 restaurants along the Grand Strand selected to participate in the Cooking Channel’s new culinary competition.
Hosted by celebrity chef Amanda Freitag, ‘Chef Swap at The Beach’ will see participants from each restaurant swap kitchens to create new dishes. They are then evaluated by a panel of judges.
Claudia Hysa, owner of Ciao, said:
Hysa said her decision to say yes wasn’t automatic when she got the call.
“I had to think about it because I was busy and doing production while I was doing the dinner service was exhausting,” she said. “They accommodated our schedule, so it all worked out.”
Ciao, an Italian restaurant with a popular seafood menu, has been in business for 15 years.
“We get great local fish and shellfish,” she said.
Tidal Creek Brewhouse on Market Common is also participating in the show. For Dara Sawczak, the owner, when asked if he would like to participate, it was a no-brainer.
“They really wanted to spotlight a lot of the cuisine along the Grand Strand, and they’re not used to the scene we thought was going to be something fun,” Sawczak said. says.
Starting a business at the height of the pandemic two years ago was difficult, but we survived. Sawczak sees the publicity that accompanies reality TV appearances as a potential boom for business.
“I think this is a very exciting opportunity for the Grand Strand. We are proud to be a part of this production and highlight our region so more people can find us,” said Sawczak. said Mr.
Speaking about the opportunity for Myrtle Beach to be featured in a new show, Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Karen Riordan emphasized the uniqueness of Myrtle Beach’s culinary scene.
“Myrtle Beach is a culinary destination unlike any other,” Riordan said. “More than 2,000 restaurants offer established favorites next to innovative flavors.”
In addition to Ciao and Tidal Creek Brewhouse, Chef Freitag and her team of judges include 44 & King, Big Mike’s Soul Food, Bistro 217, Bonfire-a Smokin’ Taqueria, Drift, Hook & Barrel, Johnny D’s, Perrone’s, Visit the Sea Captain’s House. , and Winna’s Kitchen.
The premiere episode of “Chef Swap” will air on the Cooking Channel on October 1st at 7pm.
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