Chef Nick Unangst has spent nearly 40 years as a butcher and a chef. From St. Louis to Chicago — working at the legendary seafood restaurant Don’s Fish Market — to Hilton Head, where he became a partner after helping to open both Frankie Bones and Black Marlin. 

Subsequently, he went on to help open WiseGuys, Skull Creek Boathouse, Poseidon, Dockside, and the soon-to-launch Nectar. 

Chef Tim Nelson literally grew up in restaurants. He started washing dishes in his grandmother’s restaurant at just 12 years old. 

A trade program in high school introduced him to cooking. He was hooked and told his dad that was what he wanted to do. 

Fortunately for all of us, his dad told him to “do what makes you happy.” 

For Chef Brad Blake it’s all about “thirst for knowledge.” He started in the business as a teenager and quickly rose through the ranks with a hunger for the “adrenalin rush of being on the line,” along with this quest to explore and learn. 

“One of the beautiful things about this business is you get to explore and create things,” he said. “You get to be a scientist and an artist.” 

In the 1980s, Tony Arcuri received a call from his former high school and college buddy, Steve Carb, wanting to know if he was up for coming to Hilton Head to help him run the pizza place he had opened called Giuseppi’s. 

He told his old fraternity brother “yes,” and by 1988 they had three different Giuseppi’s locations. Tony took the reins, bringing in another former fraternity brother Jim Loniero. They both became partners in SERG and they’ve never looked back. 

SERG Partner CULINARY OPERATIONS DIRECTOR 

Even when Orchid Paulmeier was a little girl she went above and beyond. Take for example when she opened her own lemonade stand. 

Chef Orchid didn’t stop just at lemonade; she also offered hot deli sandwiches! Granted they were microwaved American cheese and ham, but her entrepreneurial spirit was off and running. 

Orchid is Filipino and learned to cook early on from her grandparents who lived with her growing up. 

THE BREW

FOR MANY OF US, BEER IS A FROSTY MUG IN YOUR HAND AROUND AN EARLY SPRING BONFIRE. FOR SOME, IT’S THE PREREQUISITE TO A CELEBRATION WORTH REMEMBERING.

TO OTHERS, HOWEVER, IT’S A CALLING AND A PASSION. 

SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE

At The French Bakery on Hilton Head Island, freshly baked, house-made, mouth-watering pastries, breads and desserts fill glass cases. Cinnamon rolls, chocolate-dipped madeleines and scones disappear in a flash.

The family-owned bakery recently celebrated its 20th anniversary because Marek Belka and his son Tomazs work hard to the delight of their customers. They recently expanded The French Bakery’s offerings — including the creation of more vegetarian items.

HAND CUT STEAKS & FRESH “CATCH” DAILY

Catch 22 opened in 2001 and is locally owned and operated by Gary and Penny Duren. They have created a comfortable culture for their customers and staff. A TripAdvisor reviewer said Catch 22 is a longtime favorite “because of the service and efficiency of the staff, including the owner who is always on hand.” 

If you’re looking for a home-away-from-home style experience, stop in to Street Meet for lunch, dinner, or late night. 

Featuring “Sidewalk Sandwiches from America’s Favorite Street Corners™” Street Meet specializes in homemade versions of regional American bar food. They were voted: People’s Choice Awards Best Bar 2015, Island’s Best Hot Dog.