Southern Wing Showdown at the James Beard House

by Hannah Fordin

Chef Thomas Marlowe, making magic happen in a Big Green Egg.

HRN On Tour headed over the East River to visit the James Beard House and to get our fingers dirty at the Southern Wing Showdown. Our recording studio that night was the breezy courtyard at Beard’s legendary residence. This walk-around feast was presented by Springer Mountain Farms and produced by Taste of Atlanta.

Caity and Hannah got to chat with nine talented chefs visiting us from below the Mason-Dixon line, as well as Keith Schroeder of High Road Craft Ice Cream (which you can find at Whole Foods Market), and the night’s talented bartender, Greg Best, the owner of Ticonderoga Club in Atlanta. 

Last but not least, we were lucky enough to taste each chef’s interpretation of America’s favorite finger food: the chicken wing.

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Chef Todd Richards went the deep fried route.

The night’s winning wing from Cotton & Rye in Savannah, GA!

Here is the line-up of the chefs we down sat with along with their tasty, southern inspired dishes!

Daniel Doyle, managing chef partner of Poogan’s Porch in Charleston South Carolina.

Hickory and White Oak–Smoked Chicken Wings with South Carolina Mustard Barbecue Sauce and Pickled Mustard Seeds

Boiled Peanut–Black-Eyed Pea Salad

Thomas Marlow, Mimosa Grill’s executive chef from Charlotte North Carolina.

Hot-Smoked Dry Cajun Chicken Wings with J&J Farm Whipped Honey and Celery–Apple Slaw

Summer Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes, Carolina Peaches, and Candied Pecans

Eric Fulkerson, executive chef at Bald Headed Bistro in Cleveland Tennessee.

Honey–Bourbon Barbecued Chicken Wings

Smoked Pork Belly, Caramelized Vidalia, and Gouda Macaroni and Cheese

Brandon Whitestone and Zach Shultz, co-owners of Savannah Georgia’s Cotton and Rye.

Crispy Sumac and Chile–Dusted Chicken Wings with Spiced Honey

Butter Bean–Corn Succotash with Field Peas, Sweet Peppers, Onions, House-Cured-and-Smoked Bacon, and Herbed Butter

Savannah Sasser, Hampton & Hudson’s executive chef joining us from Atlanta, Georgia.

Sweet Tea–Brined and Coca Cola–Glazed Chicken Wings with Spicy Nuts

Fried Sriracha–Pimento Grit Cakes

Todd Richards, chef and owner of Richard’s Southern Fried in Atlanta’s Krog Street Market.

Richards's Hot-and-Spicy Chicken Wings with Pimento–Ranch Dressing

Jalapeño Creamed Corn

Margot McCormick, the chef and owner of Nashville Tennessee’s Margot Cafe.

Crispy Tarragon Chicken Wings with Pickled The Peach Truck Peaches, Green Goddess, Cornbread Crumbs, Local Greens, and Hot Honey
Greg Best is a cocktail master!