CROISSANTS BISTRO & BAKERY EXECUTIVE CHEF BRADLEY DANIELS AWARDED BEST CHEFS AMERICA
Less than one percent of professional cooks in America are honored in the 2013 Edition of Best Chefs America, and you, Chef Bradley Daniels, are among them.
Bradley Daniels, the Executive Chef at Croissants Bistro & Bakery, has been honored as one of the country’s top culinary talents in the 2013 edition of Best Chefs America. According to a press release, Best Chefs America, which was designed as a guide for chefs, conducted more than 5,000 confidential interviews with nominated chefs around the country to produce a coffee table book. Less than one percent of professional cooks in America are honored with this award. Two other local chefs were also honored with this prestigious award: Andrew Gardo of Sea Captain’s House and Curry Martin of Aspen Grille.
The 411 on Chef Brad!
Originally from Orlando, Fl, Bradley’s passion for cooking was sparked by the memories of watching his Grandmothers cook. Graduating from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee in 1997 with a Leisure Services degree, he then attended Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando. While attending school he worked for celebrity chef Todd English at his eclectic seafood restaurant Bluezoo. He left Bluezoo to expand his culinary knowledge at the exquisite Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee. At the Relais and Chatuex property, he was introduced to “Foothills Cuisine” and the concept of drawing from indigenous ingredients and cuisines. As Executive Chef at Croissants Bistro & Bakery, Chef Daniels continues that concept of using local and fresh ingredients, drawing from the many farms and fisherman that South Carolina has to offer.
From all of us at Croissants: Congratulations to Chef Brad!
Mothers Day, we asked our customers to submit a one of their mom’s best dessert recipes and the winner would receive a gift certificate to Croissants as well as have their recipe served up at our Mother’s Day Brunch. By the time I got back to the kitchen to try some of Pamela’s mom’s Mississippi Mud Pie, there was not a crumb left in sight, so FYI, as I am writing this blog post, I am making out my grocery list of ingredients because this looks amazing!
Pamela and her Mom on Mother’s Day!
This recipe reminds Pamela of Sunday night family dinner… Do you think the next time you can invite us?
Mississippi Mud Cake
1 C butter 1 (4oz.) semisweet chocolate baking bar, chopped 2 C sugar 1 1/2 C flour 1/2 C unsweetened c ocoa 4 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 3/4 tsp salt 1 (10.5 oz.) bag miniature marshmallows 1 C chopped pecans, optional
Preheat oven to 350. Combine butter and semisweet chocolate into a microwave safe bowl and heat at high for 1 minute or until melted and smooth. Stir at 30 second intervals.
Add sugar, flour, cocoa, eggs, vanilla and salt into chocolate mixture. Pour batter into a greased 15 x 10 x 1 inch jelly roll pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with marshmallows. Bake for an additional 8-10 minutes of until marshmallows begin to brown. Remove from oven and drizzle warm cake with chocolate frosting (see below)
Chocolate Frosting 1/2 C butter 1/3 C milk 1/4 C unsweetened cocoa 1 -16 oz. package powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla
Melt butter in pan over medium heat. Add in milk and cocoa, and bring mixture to a boil. Stir constantly. Remove from heat. Add in powdered sugar and stir until smooth. Add vanilla. Use immediately. If you need to thin it out add a little milk. Sprinkle with chopped nuts and Voila!
I’d love to know what all of you think of this recipe? You can bring me by a slice at Croissants Bistro and Bakery. I am there most days.
Croissants Bistro and Bakery was named in the Top 100 restaurants in the nation for “Best Brunch” by Open Table. And, we were the only restaurant in South Carolina to make the cut. I am extremely proud of my entire team, as I have heard from customers for YEARS that while Myrtle Beach had a large selection of places to choose for dinner, we sometimes fell short in the brunch category and that is exactly why we created our Weekender Brunch Menu to fill this need.
I don’t think I could tell the brunch story better (as I am slightly biased!) but a longtime local customer, Hatton Gravely blogged up her brunch experience at Croissants on her website, CHATTIE HATTIE.
“There is no greater meal than a gourmet Sunday Brunch in my opinion. Brunch is great on Saturday – but fabulous on Sunday. My mom has been in town all weekend (so much fun!) and we celebrated Mother’s Day a week early and had brunch at Croissants.
Hatton of “CHATTIE HATTIE” and her mom at brunch at Croissants! They match! How adorable.
The food, as always, was incredible. I absolutely loved the Huevos Rancheros – the mix of sausage, black beans, avocado and eggs in the tortilla was a total departure from my typical brunch/breakfast order and the french toast is out of this world. I mean it. I had to sample my mom’s (Bananas Foster) in the name of research, and kind of wanted to order another one as dessert. Realizing that would have crossed the line to gluttonous, I refrained… but if you love sweets, definitely try this dish.
A “sneak peek” under the eggs of our Huevos Rancheros
You can always place an order for Bananas Foster as a dessert for the table!
Croissants Bistro & Bakery is definitely a “must go” if you’re looking for a fabulous, locally owned restaurant. They have an equally amazing dinner and lunch.”
Thank you for the wonderful review “CHATTIE HATTIE!” And speaking of Mother’s Day – Chef Bradley has prepared an extra special treat for Mom’s and family – view our special Mother’s Day Brunch Menu here.
Another great tip from Hatton is to be sure to make reservations for brunch! She was lucky the morning she came, as she got to the restaurant early enough we could seat her and her mom, and unfortunately this is not always the case. (Oh, and don’t forget that you can also create an account with Open Table and make your reservation that way, too!)
We would love to hear from YOU on Open Table. You can submit a review and share your experience at Croissants whether it was for Brunch, Lunch, Dinner or simply coming in to get your morning coffee and danish!
To place an order for your favorite wine, make an appointment for your cake tasting, make a reservation or browse out Bistro & Bakery menu please visit www.croissants.net.
