Q&A with the Daniel Island Club’s Chef Tyler

The following excerpt from “High Standards in the Lowcountry” was originally published in Club & Resort Business, December 2011. Posted here with permission from Harbor Communications LLC. Copyright 2011. Click here to read the complete article.

Tyler Dudley, a newly minted Certified Executive Chef, has held the top chef position at Daniel Island for the past ten years. During that time, he and his team of 25, which includes a Chef de Cuisine, Banquet Chef, Sous Chef and Executive Pastry Chef, have created an exciting mix of fine-dining and casual cuisine that ranks the club with the best downtown restaurants in a great food town like Charleston, which appears regularly on Top Ten lists of the nation’s best dining destinations. The Daniel Island Club has even earned the right to participate in the Charleston Wine and Food festival, which is normally limited to public operations.

Chef Dudley was kind enough to take time to share with us how he continually raises the bar in an exceptional club F&B operation.

Q: Chef, for those who are not familiar with Lowcountry cuisine, can you explain all that it encompasses as far as cooking style, geography and history?  Also, how have you integrated it into your menus at Daniel Island?

A: Lowcountry cuisine is the cooking traditionally associated with the coastal area of South Carolina that stretches from Pawley’s Island to the Savannah River in Georgia. This region has a rich diversity in seafood from the coast, and influences from Caribbean and African cuisine.

Lowcountry cooking has a strong correlation with New Orleans and Cajun cuisine as well. We try to utilize as many local ingredients as possible in our menus, and like to put a modern spin on Lowcountry favorites, such as with our versions of Shrimp and Grits (see recipe at right) or Fried Green Tomatoes.

Q: A huge priority for you has been to get your culinary team out into the community, by participating in events such as the Charleston Wine and Food Festival or fundraisers like “Darkness to Light,” which raises money for the prevention of child abuse. Explain to us the positive impact this has on your relationship with your staff when these become a regular practice.

A: It’s easy sometimes to be “locked in” and focused on the day-to-day operations of a very busy private club, which can lead to forgetting what’s going on in your local culinary community. Our culinary team strives to get out there, not only to support great organizations like Darkness to Light, but also to be involved with events like the Charleston Wine and Food Festival. This not only brings great exposure to the club, it gets our culinary team excited about what we are doing here. And it gives our chefs great networking abilities with the outstanding culinary talent that we have here in Charleston.

Q: Chef, I’m surprised at the number of club chefs who now have extensive gardens on site. Having taken on a huge project with your 100-by-40-yard garden, what tips can you offer for getting beyond just having herb beds outside our kitchen doors?

A: We started about three years ago with a small herb garden, and that soon led to discussions of how to expand that resource. There has been a huge movement, not only in Charleston but also the entire country, around the farm-to-table concept—and when our President of the Daniel Island Company came to us with interest of expanding to a 100% organic garden on the property, it kind of took off from there. Some tips I can give would be to start small, do some research and not only get your culinary team involved but other departments such as course and grounds maintenance, which does the tilling and other upkeep that requires heavy equipment for us.

To read the rest of the article in Club & Resort Business, click here.

Shop And Give Back At This Weekend’s Daniel Island Holiday Festival

The annual Daniel Island Holiday Festival takes place this Saturday, December 3, and this year planners are pulling out all the stops. In addition to the Festival’s popular showcase of more than 100 local vendors selling everything from handmade crafts and jewelry to unique gifts of all kinds, there will be an expanded offering of live music and entertainment for all ages. Santa will be making an appearance, there will be Cookie Decorating and Holiday Craft stations, face painting, jump castles and – brand new this year – an ice skating rink!

While you’re out enjoying the festivities, be sure to look out for the festive display of Christmas trees that are part of Daniel Island’s Christmas Tree Fundraiser for Windwood Farm Home for Children. A selection of island and area residents and businesses have gotten into the holiday spirit by decorating and donating 19 four ft. trees, each dedicated to one of the amazing boys that currently reside at Windwood Farm, an environment of help, hope and healing for at-risk youth and families who have been traumatized by the effects of severe abuse and neglect. For a $5 donation to this important Charleston non-profit organization, you can enter to win the tree of your choice!

From traditionally-decorated trees to creative themes like Candy Land, “Gone Fishing,” Dr. Seuss and Star Wars, you’re sure to find the perfect small tree to complement your holiday decor. Enter to win the tree(s) of your choice as many times as you like. The winners will be drawn and announced at 4 pm at the end of the Holiday Festival (you do not need to be present to win).

The Daniel Island Community Fund has agreed to match money raised by this initiative, so be sure to come out and support this important cause!

For further information about the Daniel Island Christmas Tree Fundraiser, click here.

Golf and Good Times at the 2011 Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island

The Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island wrapped up on Sunday, October 30 following an exciting week of special events and fierce competition as the season’s top 60 money-winners battled it out to be one of 25 to leave Daniel Island with their PGA TOUR cards for 2012. The picture-perfect fall weather brought residents and visitors out to the Daniel Island Club to experience PGA-sanctioned golf and catch a glimpse of some of the sport’s future stars. In the end, Ken Duke of Hope, Arkansas captured the Championship title and took home the $180,000 grand prize along with his PGA card.

Check out these highlights from the 2011 Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island:

Daniel Island’s Church of the Holy Cross Cited for Architectural Excellence

The City of Charleston’s Design, Development and Preservation division, which works with architects and advises city review boards on new and renovated architecture, has launched a new awards program to highlight the city’s best buildings and foster excellence in architectural design. The awards, announced earlier this month, reflect what its staff considers six of the best new buildings built in the city limits since 2000.

Among the buildings honored is Daniel Island’s own Church of the Holy Cross. Designed by Charleston’s Stubbs Muldrow Herin Architects and located at the corner of Daniel Island and Seven Farms drives, the iconic white building enjoys a prominent location at one of the island town’s key intersections.

Dennis Dowd, city architect and preservation officer, cited the church’s relationship to the corner, it’s simplicity and scale and its tower and entrance among the attributes that make it a great new building.

The Church of the Holy Cross is a friendly and fast-growing Episcopal church with three locations in the Charleston area, including on Daniel Island. The church aims to provide relevant, life-oriented teachings in a friendly and fun atmosphere. It has been a part of the Daniel Island community since opening in 2006.

Showdown On Ralston Creek:
The Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island

The PGA Tour’s Nationwide Tour comes to its annual pressure-packed conclusion this week on the Daniel Island Club’s Ralston Creek course. The field has been narrowed to the season’s top sixty money winners, who will compete in the Nationwide Tour Championship October 27-30 for a $180,000 first prize and one of 25 PGA Tour cards for the 2012 season.

“I love coming back to the Ralston Creek course,” said Kyle Thompson of Greenville, S.C. at a press conference earlier this fall. “I think you’re going to see some great golf playing out on Daniel Island this year.”

Thompson, who enters the tournament at number 13 on the money list, is one of six players from South Carolina competing this year. The international field is bringing players from as far away as Australia and New Zealand to Charleston’s island town. Thousands of fans are expected to attend, and millions more will watch the live coverage on The Golf Channel.

In addition to nail-biting competition, the Nationwide Tour Championship brings live music and entertainment to the back of the clubhouse all week long, starting with the Carolina Studios Pro Am Jam on Tuesday, October 25th, featuring Mark Bryan and Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish, Branford Marsalis, Pat Green, Johnny Lee and other special surprise guests. Fans and players will also enjoy the 19th Hole Happy Hour and live music following play each day of the tournament.

The Nationwide Tour Championship is presented by the Student Transportation of America Education Foundation, which advances education opportunities available to high school seniors in Charleston and throughout the country. In addition to raising funds for this notable cause, the tournament raises money for dozens of area non-profit organizations through its TICKETS Fore CHARITY program.

For your chance to win tickets to this year’s Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island, be sure to “like” the My Island Town Facebook page and look for chances to win all week long. And if you can’t make it out to see the action live in person, be sure to check out the television coverage from Daniel Island on The Golf Channel October 27-30 from 2:30-5:00 pm each day.

Charleston Named Top U.S. City by Conde Nast Traveler

After 18 consecutive years on Conde Nast Traveler’s prestigious Reader’s Choice Awards as a top ten city, Charleston just hit the big time. Our beautiful home town has been named the Number One City in the United States!

Presenting the award in New York to Charleston officials was Emmy Award-winning comedy writer and Charlestonian Stephen Colbert, who aptly stated “I’ve been all over the world and Charleston is the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen.”

Voters annually evaluate cities based on six categories: Atmosphere/Ambience, Culture/Sites, Friendliness, Lodging, Restaurants and Shopping. To bring the six categories to life, the Charleston Area CVB launched Charlestonly.com, which describes the characteristics that define the Charleston experience. The website includes great photography, highlights and special packages from the area’s eight 2011 Readers’ Choice Award-winning resorts and hotels, as well as this great video:

Thanks, y’all!!

Daniel Islanders Give Back In A Big Way This October: Week One

With a month-long lineup of home tours and festivals, concerts and road races, October is the month that Daniel Island and Charleston area residents join together in Charleston’s island town to show their support for many of the non-profit organizations that serve our community. Each weekend this month a diverse array of exciting events will offer great family entertainment for all ages and an opportunity to give back.

It all starts this weekend with the annual Harvest Tour of Homes, the eighth annual Buddy Walk and Charleston Oktoberfest at Blackbaud Stadium. Read further for more information on this weekend’s festivities, and stay tuned throughout the month for details about other ways you can give back – and have fun – on Daniel Island this October!

Harvest Tour of Homes
Benefiting the Daniel Island Public Library
Saturday, October 1 | 1-4 pm

Hosted by Friends of the Daniel Island Library, this annual event showcases four incredible Daniel Island homes, along with book signings and discussions with local authors. One hundred percent of proceeds from the tour benefit the Daniel Island Library.  Featuring distinctive architecture and unique interior design, each home will be adorned with unique floral arrangements from local florists. It’s a great opportunity to get inspired in your own home decorating endeavors, and to meet some of the Lowcountry’s literary talent. For ticket information, visit harvesthometour.com.

Buddy Walk
Benefiting the Down Syndrome Association of the Lowcountry
Sunday, October 2| 8 am

Daniel Island residents Chad and April Vail were instrumental in starting what has become an important fundraising event for the Down Syndrome Association of the Lowcountry, a source of support and information for families of individuals with Down Syndrome. This year marks the 8th anniversary of this Daniel Island event, which takes place in Etiwan Park. In addition to raising funds for programming, the event offers fun for the entire family, including a one-mile fun walk, dancing, games, food, music and more. It’s a wonderful day of inclusion and acceptance for those living with Down Syndrome. For further information, visit dsalowcountry.org.

Charleston Oktoberfest at Blackbaud Stadium
Benefiting Debi’s Kids and Meals on Wheels
Sunday, October 2 | 12-5 pm

Also celebrating eight years on Daniel Island, Charleston Oktoberfest is a popular event that raises funds for Live 5 News’ Debi’s Kids, an organization that provides toys, books and food to families in need throughout the Lowcountry during the holidays. This German-style celebration will feature live oompah music, dancing, a wide selection of German beers and a variety of delicious Oktoberfest-themed food. Also this year, a 64-team Corn Hole tournament at Oktoberfest will raise money for Meals on Wheels. For information on how you can join in the Oktoberfest festivities, click here.

Coming Up:
10/15          Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure
10/22          Park Day
10/24-30     Nationwide Tour Championship
10/29          Pumpkin Walk & Drum Circle

2012 Presidential Campaign Comes to Daniel Island

Just days after announcing her candidacy for the 2012 Presidential race, U.S. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann brought her bus tour to Daniel Island this week for  a “Backyard Chat.” More than 300 island and Charleston area residents came out to Smythe Park for the lively morning rally, where Bachmann discussed her position on a wide range of topics, including the economy, jobs, government spending, the War on Terror, energy and more.

Many arrived at the rally on bikes or strolled over with coffee cups in hand to hear what the latest candidate vying for the Republican nomination had to say.

“It’s so exciting to have a presidential candidate speaking right here in our front yard,” said one neighbor, who listened to most of the Congresswoman’s speech from her front porch.

Bachmann started by introducing her husband, talking about her family and congratulating the University of South Carolina Gamecocks for the previous night’s capture of the championship title at the Men’s College World Series. She spoke for about 20 minutes before taking questions from the crowd. Daniel Island was the first of the day’s four stops across the state of South Carolina for the Bachmann campaign.

30,000 Ducks Compete in Fifth Annual Charleston Duck Race on Daniel Island

30,000 rubber ducks took a dive from the top of the James B. Edwards Bridge on I-526 into the Wando River on Saturday, June 4th at the fifth annual Charleston Duck Race. The race towards the finish line at the dock in front Daniel Island Real Estate’s sales and information center produced 15 winners, whose “owners” took home cash and other prizes. One lucky winner from Tennessee took home the grand prize of $15,000!

It was great fun all in the name of charity. The Charleston Duck Race, organized by Charleston area Rotary Clubs (including the Daniel Island Rotary Club), has evolved into one of the most successful fundraising initiatives in the Lowcountry. Recognized last year by Rotary International with a prestigious “Significant Achievement Award,” the event raises money for a variety of local non=profit organizations, including East Cooper Meals on Wheels, East Cooper Community Outreach, Tri-county Ministries, Junior Achievement of Coastal Carolina and others. Since inception, the event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity.

The day’s festivities included all kinds of land-based activities that kept families entertained as the ducks prepared for the main event. Food trucks, kids’ activities, music and more created a festive atmosphere on the banks of the Wando River. Check out photos from this exciting Daniel Island event:

Daniel Island Passports Now Available!

A group of island residents and business owners recently joined forces to create a program aimed at promoting Daniel Island’s diverse and growing shopping and dining offerings to island and Charleston area residents.

Led by island residents Steve Ferber and Colby Hollifield, the “Passport to Daniel Island” program is a grassroots effort to help island businesses spread the word about their services. The Passport card entitles holders to receive special discounts or offers from participating businesses. A website lists current offers for easy reference.

“With 16 restaurants plus dozens of shops and service providers, Daniel Island is an active dining and shopping destination, but many who don’t live here don’t realize how much our island town has to offer,” says Ferber. “The Passport Program is designed to help get the word out to a larger audience about what’s here.”

The Passport Program kicked off in April during the Family Circle Cup, where volunteers reached out to the 18,000+ Charleston area residents who attended the week-long WTA event, offering up the cards for just $1 a piece. More than 800 cards were sold.

“The program has been well-received,” said Ferber. “Those who are familiar with the offerings of Daniel Island’s businesses are grateful for the special savings. But just as importantly, the card has provided a way to introduce new customers to the number of shops and restaurants here and has given people a reason to come back more often. Business owners are reporting that they are seeing new customers as a result of the effort.”

Hollifield and Ferber saw the need for someone to take ownership of an effort like this in order to help support island businesses, who rely on the patronage of customers coming from both on- and off-island. They took on the project as volunteers.

“We’re working now on getting the cards in the hands of employees who work at the various offices on Daniel Island, including Blackbaud and BenefitFocus,” said Ferber. “Other target audiences include Battery soccer fans who visit the island regularly in the summer for home games.”

Passport cards are available at participating downtown Daniel Island businesses, and can also be purchased at First Citizens Bank on Daniel Island. For a complete list of participating businesses, visit passporttodanielisland.com.

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