YOUR CULINARY GUIDE
At Palmetto Bluff, we honor the southern culinary culture by using the freshest of ingredients harvested from the surrounding waters, woods and local farms to create a unique epicurean experience. This noble fare is further accentuated by sharing the finest wines, creating a complete sensory experience. At the helm of this journey is Hugues Le Berre, Palmetto Bluff’s self-proclaimed “wine geek." His worldly resume includes the one Michelin Star Restaurant La Roseraie de Bel Air in Brittany, France, the Three Michelin Star Waterside Inn in England, the Relais Gourmand Bosman Restaurant of The Grande Roche Hotel Relais & Chateaux in South Africa, and the Relais & Chateaux Le Vieux Manoir au Lac in Switzerland. Our epicurean and vinicultural course is clearly well charted.
Hugues began his career in the hospitality industry at 17, simultaneously completing a hospitality degree and polishing his skills at the One Michelin Star Restaurant La Roseraie de Bel Air in Brittany, France. After graduation, Hugues served in the military as a headwaiter commander in the French Navy.
Since that time, his career has taken him around the world to the Three Michelin Star Waterside Inn in England and later to Relais Gourmand Bosman Restaurant of The Grande Roche Hotel Relais & Chateaux in South Africa, and the Relais & Chateaux Le Vieux Manoir au Lac in Switzerland.
In 2000, Hugues relocated to South Carolina where he worked at the Woodlands Inn, Relais & Chateaux – Relais Gourmand as the Restaurant Manager and eventually Food and Beverage Director. He joined Palmetto Bluff in January 2009 as the Assistant Director of Food and Beverage where his first assignment was to reinforce the standards and quality of service at the River House. Since then, he has worked to train and develop new supervisors and managers for the other food and beverage outlets of the property, and create new ideas and concepts for our dining venues. Wine remains a passion for Hugues and he thoroughly enjoys getting to know our guests and helping them to select and pair the perfect match. Hugues is currently preparing for his Sommelier certification (which sounds like a lot of fun!).