Charlotte’s star is rising — in food circles, at least.
Back in November, the city was buzzing over the Michelin Guide awards, which for the first time honored restaurants across the American South. As a magazine editor, I can attest that there’s no such thing as a “perfect” list, but the travel guide’s lineup of 13 Charlotte-area spots was a good start.
We’re now home to a single Michelin-starred restaurant, Counter- (baby steps!). Led by chef Sam Hart, Counter- is well-known as an immersive tasting-menu restaurant that’s as much about the experience as the food. A lesser-known fact about Counter- is that the restaurant donates a portion of proceeds to three local nonprofits, including The Bulb. Staff members volunteer at the free mobile farmers markets; the chef described it as “our love and passion” at a dinner I attended at Counter- last year. “Food insecurity can be solved,” Hart said, “and every single person is worth being loved.” The restaurant is doing its small part.
Other Michelin nods went to Lang Van, the beloved, family-owned Vietnamese spot in east Charlotte that earned a Bib Gourmand, plus 11 other “recommended” Queen City restaurants.
Then in February, a group of about 10 Charlotte chefs and mixologists took over the prestigious James Beard Foundation’s Platform space in New York City for a special dinner (see this month’s SWIRL).
And we really punched our ticket to the big leagues when the long-running Bravo series “Top Chef” came to town last summer and fall to film Season 23, which premieres March 3 on the Peacock app (March 9 on Bravo). As an early fan of the show, it was a “wow” moment to spend time on set with longtime hosts Gail Simmons and Tom Colicchio, along with the amazing Kristen Kish, a “Top Chef” winner who joined as a host in 2024. When, months ago, contributor Olivia Lee pitched the idea for a series on women leading Charlotte kitchens, we had no idea that Stagioni chef Brittany Cochran would be announced as a cheftestant on the show. Cochran couldn’t share much about her “Top Chef” experience, but you can get to know her better in Olivia’s story on page 76. As the season unfolds, look for more “Top Chef” stories online (like this one about tailor Walid Nassar) and in an upcoming issue.
Finally, to celebrate the city’s robust culinary scene, the fourth annual Savor Charlotte returns March 11-28. Let’s eat! SP
CATHY MARTIN
Editor
editor@southparkmagazine.com
IN THIS ISSUE:
1–Beverage director Jenna “Duckie” Reynolds at Mal Pan
2–SouthPark resident Rebecca Combs
3–Closet crush: The English Room’s Holly Phillips
4–Writer Krisha Chachra castle-hopping in Ireland
Photographs by Justin Driscoll, Richard Israel, Amy Kolo, courtesy Krisha Chachra
