Written by: Courtney Hampson | Photography by: Krisztian Lonyai
An emergency room administrator walks away from a six-figure salary for a six-dollar-an-hour gig in a kitchen. After a decade in health care and despite the lucrative career trajectory, Matt Wallace’s heart was pointing him in another direction. So, he left the hospital behind and began a 60-mile commute to Athens, Georgia, and to Farm 255. There, the farm-to-table movement was in full bloom, and Wallace was hungry—for culinary skills and knowledge.
“At Farm 255, I learned how to take care of things. Every employee had to work on the farm at least once a month. Your pay was what you picked.” From there, he headed to Woodfire Grill in Atlanta, where owner/chef Kevin Gillespie’s Top Chef star was just starting to sparkle. At Woodfire, Wallace learned technique—how to cut a fish, how to season, and, more importantly, the difference between season and spice. “I also learned that showing up early and staying late gains you favor,” Wallace said.
From Atlanta, Wallace’s tour de Georgia continued in Augusta, where, among other things, he was responsible for Mercedes’ catering during the Masters, no small feat. Eventually, he made his way to Hilton Head and Clayton Rollison’s Lucky Rooster, a busy tourist-driven spot where he learned “how to serve 300 people in four and a half hours.” A few culinary consulting jobs followed as Wallace learned the business side of restaurants, every stop on his journey providing valuable lessons that brought him to today, where he stands behind the bar in his own restaurant tucked tidily into a 900-square-foot space.
Photography from J. Banks Design Luxury interior design firm J. Banks and Palmetto Bluff Builders have collaborated to provide an extensive and beautiful design package for the residents of The Grove, Palmetto Bluff's first neighborhood built-for-sale. With j...
Indulge in the rich and flavorful Buttermilk Chess Pie with Vanilla Mascarpone Crème by following this delicious recipe from Palmetto Bluff Club’s Executive Pastry Chef, Jae Newby. The Buttermilk Chess Pie Filling combines the perfect blend of ingredients, inc...
Longfield Stables at Palmetto Bluff is thrilled to welcome Julien Beaugnon as the new Equestrian Director. With over 30 years of experience as an equestrian instructor, trainer, and manager, Julien’s journey is a testament to his passion, dedication, and stron...
Story and Photographs by Joel Caldwell I am driving through the predawn dark, trying to find the office of Jay Walea, the longtime Director of the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy. It’s a warm morning in late May, my windows are down, and I’m listening to that pecu...
Where are you from and how did you get here? I saw the job posting through a golf recruiting service at 6am one morning. [laughs] I applied for it and here we are. My wife and I always said if we ever left Nashville, we’d move to the Lowcountry. We love livin...
The Haunting of Palmetto Bluff | October 27 Venture deep into the woods of the Bluff, where echoes of the past are lurking in the shadows. Embark on a spine-chilling journey to explore legends and step beyond the veil of the living and the dead. Will you l...
The results of Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards are in, and Montage Palmetto Bluff, Hilton Head Island, Charleston, and Savannah received numerous accolades and awards highlighting what makes the Lowcountry region a stand out amongst the rest....
Photographs by Cameron Wilder Story by Alex Marvar Left to right: Palmetto Bluff residents Cynthia Willet, Nancy Thomas, Donna South, and Michelle Solomon On the bluff’s 120-acre sporting clays course, four friends find a winning combination of fresh air, ca...
Behind the Design with Jason Kimes & Leighann Markalunas In the heart of the Lowcountry, where the gentle sway of Spanish moss-laden trees meets the tranquil embrace of the coast, lies a unique community: Palmetto Bluff. Their approach to home design capt...
Your Pine-ness Cocktail Recipe Before delving into the ingredients and recipe for Buffalos’ delectable Ricotta Meatballs and Sauce, it is imperative that the chef has an excellent cocktail for cooking. Pairing the sweetness of pineapple with the woody flavo...
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