History of Chefs of the Coast

 

 

“Chefs of the Coast” has been a premier fundraising event on the Mississippi Gulf Coast since it’s inception in the spring of 1981. Recollections by early planners remember the original idea being conceived by Carl Lizana of White Cap/Aunt Jenny’s fame, but other “Chefs” pioneers included the Sinopoli, Mladnich, Mattina and Myers families—all charter members of the Mississippi Coast Restaurant & Beverage Association.

 

The second year of “Chefs”, Beverly Martin became the first Executive Director of the MCRBA and for 12 years she was a driving force behind “Chefs of the Coast.” Devra Dedeaux took over for many years, then Karen Sinopoli—each contributing something new. Each of these ladies were responsible for continuing to bring “Chefs” to the next level, ensuring its continued success. A $10,000.00 cash drawdown was a huge part of the “pre-casino” Chefs of the Coast for a couple of years, but then evolved to giving away luxury cars and other big ticket items. The tradition of honoring a long time restaurateur with a Lifetime Achievement Award was started on or about the 3rd or 4th year. The very first was given to Jim and Mary Myers (Friendship House, Loghouse). Mr. Myers had already passed, but Mrs. Myers accepted the honors for them both. The entertainment has always been top-notch, but eventually “Chefs” was moved to the fall and formatted to be a Food & Wine Festival. Wine vendors joined the participating restaurants and premiered their newest vintages at the event. For 16 years a “cigar tent” has been featured, and the Sunday Night Football game was added to a media tent to accommodate the sports fans. The Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Culinary Federation added their Food As Art competition several years ago, featuring the brightest and the best of the local culinary professionals.

 

The original event was held at the old Broadwater Hotel and catered to an overflow crowd, selling more tickets than the Ballroom could handle. The crowds spilled into the lobby areas where the guests partied until midnight! The second year it was moved to the coliseum to accommodate the crowds, but the general admission tickets still sold out. In 2007 the event was moved from the coliseum for its 25th Anniversary (the 2005 event was cancelled following Hurricane Katrina). Moving from the Coliseum proved to be a success for the event and in 2008 Chefs of the Coast is being hosted on the beautiful grounds of the historic Oak Crest Mansion in Pass Christian.

 

The late Himbert Sinopoli offered his students in the Hotel-Hospitality program at Jeff Davis Junior College (now MS Gulf Coast Community College) to help with labor. In return, the event provided scholarships to his students. Since then “Chefs” has provided scholarships and support to the MSGCC Culinary Program, MSGCCC Hospitality Program, USM Gulf Park Culinary Program, Moss Point High School Culinary & Hospitality Program and in 2006 Gulfport High’s Hospitality & Tourism Academy was added.

 

Today, in 2009, “Chefs of the Coast” remains one of the premier events on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The time-honored tradition still raises funds for the MS Coast Restaurant & Beverage Association (now a local chapter of the MS Hospitality & Restaurant Association), allowing it to be the only Chapter of the MHRA to have its own offices and Executive Director. In 2007, Berinda Logan took over the reigns and is taking “Chefs of the Coast” to yet another level. The event still provides scholarships and support to tourism- and hospitality-related programs, but just as importantly, it allows the MHRA Gulf Coast to actively support and protect these industries, while at the same time participating as a powerful member of the local community.