PICKENS COUNTY — When Ed Wallace relocated to the Piedmont area eight years ago, he had no idea he would be part of the Competition Dining Series, which was unheard of for South Carolina at the time.

But the opportunity has presented itself and he intends to make the most of it.

Being held through Sept. 7 at Larkin’s Mill in Greenville, the competition between chefs from the Upstate will be heated — and possibly sauteed or caramelized depending on your perspective.

Wallace, owner and chef with Adventures in Taste catering located in Easley, is looking forward to it.

“This is a big deal for upstate South Carolina with the competition making its first appearance after so many years in North Carolina,” Wallace said. “This is an exciting opportunity for all the chefs competing. For me, this is a chance to get a feel for what we do in our catering business in front of more people.”

But Wallace also thinks there is more to it than just the possibility of exposure for his business.

“This isn’t the first competition I have had the chance to compete in. I also was involved in a challenge with the American Culinary Federation, and I have to say, I love the mystery box,” Wallace said. “The mystery box of ingredients presents a huge challenge and requires you to be creative.”

For Wallace, the challenge to be creative falls in his wheelhouse in his opinion.

“I can be very creative with things. I worked with a small restaurant in Piedmont and when the economy went in the tank, I had to be creative to make a menu,” Wallace said. “And working in the catering business now helps with creativity as well because the menu has to be for more people than would normally be served a specific meal than in a restaurant.”

Wallace, who describes his style as Southwestern, is originally from Brooklyn. He studied Culinary Arts at New York Technical College before arriving in South Carolina via Florida and credits his wife with the idea of entering the competition as she presented him the form from a weekend magazine. The application was submitted and Wallace received the call.

That’s a long way from his first job in the restaurant business.

“When I was 16, I wanted a job and answered an ad as a dishwasher in a small restaurant and I just started watching and learning as much as I could,” he said. “A new chef was eventually brought in and he continued to teach me and actually created a work-study program for me and I got high school credits for the work we did together.”

It might be a long way from the dish tub in a New York restaurant, but Wallace hasn’t forgotten his roots and is looking forward to pitting his skills against the other chefs in the competition and the opportunity to learn more.

Wallace’s first appearance is scheduled for Aug. 24 following a first round bye. The competition will be judged by those in attendance and also allows digital voting for your favorite Upstate chef.

https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_competitiondininglogo.jpgCourtesy logo

Chef Ed Wallace of Adventures in Taste, located in Easley, will take to the stage in the Competition Dining Series on Aug. 24.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Ed-Wallace-2.jpgChef Ed Wallace of Adventures in Taste, located in Easley, will take to the stage in the Competition Dining Series on Aug. 24. Courtesy photo
Adventures in Taste chef is second local entrant in series

By D. C. Moody

dmoody@civitasmedia.com

Reach D. C. Moody at 864-855-0355.