Myrtle Beach chef earns spot in national seafood competition

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — A Myrtle Beach native is bringing the Grand Strand name to a national seafood stage after earning a spot in this year’s Great American Seafood Cook-Off.

Hamilton Vereen, born and raised in Myrtle Beach, is one of 14 chefs who earned a spot in the competition that will take place on Saturday in New Orleans, WPDE reports.

He is the only chef representing the Carolinas.

After graduating from the College of Charleston in 2015, Vereen moved to Vietnam, where he was immersed in the flavor of Southeast Asian cooking.

When he returned to the United States, he had an opportunity to take over a Thai restaurant, Black Thai, in 2017 with head chef Chen Sridet.

On Saturday, the 14 chefs will cook in front of a live audience and present their dishes to a notable panel of six national judges who will score based on presentation, creativity, composition, craftsmanship, flavor and other attributes.

The winning chef earns the title “King/Queen of American Seafood.”

According to WPDE, a chef representing the Carolinas has never won the competition, which has been held every year since 2005.

(Watch below: Checking out South End’s Waterman Fish Bar)

Your704: The Waterman Fish Bar Your704: The Waterman Fish Bar

©2022 Cox Media Group