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The Southern Fork’s BEST of 2025

The Southern Fork

Release Date: 01/02/2026

From the Culinary Institute of America to Cocktails: James Bolt's Gin Joint Journey (Charleston, SC) show art From the Culinary Institute of America to Cocktails: James Bolt's Gin Joint Journey (Charleston, SC)

The Southern Fork

In this, the final episode of Season 10, James Bolt of T in Charleston, SC shares his journey from chemistry to craft cocktails, emphasizing the importance of culinary-driven mixology, the art of ice making, and innovative trends like mini cocktails. Discover how Charleston's vibrant food scene influences his creative process and the secrets behind crafting exceptional cocktails. To keep up with Stephanie’s work beyond the show, , her free monthly newsletter that includes recent bylines, recommendations, and other fun tidbits. And for consistent visual peeks into the world of The...

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How Munkle Brewing Balances Tradition and Innovation with Local Ingredients (Charleston, SC) show art How Munkle Brewing Balances Tradition and Innovation with Local Ingredients (Charleston, SC)

The Southern Fork

In the last 15 years, the craft brewery scene has really come into its own in Charleston, and these days you can find area breweries all over the Lowcountry, tucked into warehouses, alongside beautiful river views, and even in business parks. , located in the Neck area of Charleston, routinely takes home medals annually at the Great American Beer Fest competition, and it is one of the standouts in a crowded field. In this conversation, Palmer Quimby, founder of Munkle Brewing Co., shares his journey in craft brewing, emphasizing the importance of tradition, local ingredients, and community....

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Bintou N’Daw Follows Her Own Creative Compass at Bintü Atelier (Charleston, SC) show art Bintou N’Daw Follows Her Own Creative Compass at Bintü Atelier (Charleston, SC)

The Southern Fork

Bintou N’Daw is a magnetic person who make food that just draws you in with its layers of flavor and storytelling. She owns and operates Bintü Atelier, an African-inspired restaurant, with her husband in Charleston, SC, and she has just been named a James Beard Semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast. In this conversation, she shares her fearless approach to taking risks, the importance of cultural identity in her cooking, and her aspirations for the future of her culinary career. The discussion also touches on the creative process of transitioning from takeout to a full restaurant...

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GroceryRx: A New Approach to Nutrition and Health in the South Carolina Lowcountry (Charleston, SC) show art GroceryRx: A New Approach to Nutrition and Health in the South Carolina Lowcountry (Charleston, SC)

The Southern Fork

In this conversation, dietician Olivia Myers shares her passion for Grocery RX, part of in Charleston, SC, which operates as food pharmacy and nutrition education arm. She shares her background in nutrition and food, the challenges of addressing food insecurity, and the transformative impact of GroceryRx on individuals' health and lives. The conversation also touches on the importance of community engagement and the future of the business amidst challenges in funding and administration, but with a sincere hope for building in the future. The work Olivia is doing in the South Carolina...

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Diving below the surface of Blue Food with Andrew Zimmern show art Diving below the surface of Blue Food with Andrew Zimmern

The Southern Fork

has spent decades proving that food can be a powerful force for cultural understanding and social change. An Emmy-winning and James Beard Award-winning television host, chef and food advocate, he brings boundless curiosity and deep empathy to his exploration of global cuisine on his acclaimed shows, including the Bizarre Foods franchise, The Zimmern List, What’s Eating America, Family Dinner, and Wild Game Kitchen. His work extends far beyond television into restaurants, publishing, and philanthropy, all driven by his conviction that shared culinary experiences can bridge divides and create...

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The Southern Fork’s BEST of 2025 show art The Southern Fork’s BEST of 2025

The Southern Fork

In this episode, host Stephanie Burt reflects on her experiences from 2025, sharing highlights from her culinary adventures, restaurant visits, and travel experiences. She emphasizes the importance of personal connections to food and hospitality, recounting memorable dishes and places. The episode serves as a recap of the year while looking forward to future culinary explorations. To keep up with Stephanie’s work beyond the show, , her free monthly newsletter that includes recent bylines, recommendations, and other fun tidbits. And for consistent visual peeks into the world of The Southern...

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Crafting a Legendary Oyster: Trey McMillan of Lowcountry Oyster Company (Green Pond, SC) show art Crafting a Legendary Oyster: Trey McMillan of Lowcountry Oyster Company (Green Pond, SC)

The Southern Fork

In this conversation, Trey McMillan of shares insights into the world of oyster farming, discussing the significance of location, the transition from fishing to oyster cultivation, and the crafting of the Lowcountry Cup oyster. He emphasizes the challenges and learning experiences in the industry, the importance of sustainability, and the unique flavor profiles of oysters. If you dream about a day on the waters of the South Carolina Lowcountry, then this episode will transport you there.  To keep up with Stephanie’s work beyond the show, , her free monthly newsletter that includes...

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Opening Charleston's Restaurant Jewel Box: Merci (Charleston, SC) show art Opening Charleston's Restaurant Jewel Box: Merci (Charleston, SC)

The Southern Fork

What makes a restaurant make one of Stephanie’s best of lists? Well, it is always an equation of passion and details that come together behind the scenes and feel effortless during service. , located in Charleston, SC, ended up being one of her most exciting restaurant visits of 2025, so in this conversation, co-owners Courtney and Michael Zentner delve into the importance of community relationships and their event production company, The Drifter. The chef shares his insights into their menu development and culinary philosophy, and they both embrace the challenges of running a small...

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The Heart of a Fried Seafood Tourist Town: Captain and Chef Bob Taylor (Calabash, NC) show art The Heart of a Fried Seafood Tourist Town: Captain and Chef Bob Taylor (Calabash, NC)

The Southern Fork

Just over the South Carolina state border from Myrtle Beach is Calabash, North Carolina, a small commercial fishing town that’s been known for generations, especially for its shrimp. For many beach goers, including many in my family, a trip to the beach wasn’t complete without a visit to a fish camp in Calabash. In this conversation, lifelong Calabash resident Chef and Captain Bob Taylor shares insights about his life at . He discusses the unique aspects of living in a tourist town, the importance of loving hard work, and the joy of serving fresh seafood. Bob also highlights his family's...

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An Auspicious Journey for a Savannah Bakery (Savannah, GA) show art An Auspicious Journey for a Savannah Bakery (Savannah, GA)

The Southern Fork

For this “treat filled” Halloween conversation, Kaitlin Bryant and Mark Ekstrom, co-owners of in Savannah, Ga., share their journey from humble beginnings to running a successful bakery with two locations, a wholesale business, and a full-service restaurant, Bread & Butter. They discuss their passion for baking, the evolution of their craft, and power of a just out of the oven chocolate chip cookie. The conversation also delves into the challenges of transitioning to a restaurant model and the balance between ownership and craftsmanship in the culinary world, but their enthusiasm for...

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More Episodes

In this episode, host Stephanie Burt reflects on her experiences from 2025, sharing highlights from her culinary adventures, restaurant visits, and travel experiences. She emphasizes the importance of personal connections to food and hospitality, recounting memorable dishes and places. The episode serves as a recap of the year while looking forward to future culinary explorations.


To keep up with Stephanie’s work beyond the show, sign up for On the Menu with The Southern Fork, her free monthly newsletter that includes recent bylines, recommendations, and other fun tidbits. And for consistent visual peeks into the world of The Southern Fork, follow along on Instagram.