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In the Kitchen with Chef Vicky Moore

Gwen Fowler Gwen Fowler
Discover writers share all of the places, activities and adventure that South Carolina has to offer. Read more from some of South Carolina’s locals and discover what’s happening in the Palmetto State.
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South Carolina Chef Vicky Moore of The Lazy Goat in Greenville
Chef Vicky Moore of The Lazy Goat in Greenville

An Alabama native, Vicky Moore is chef de cuisine of The Lazy Goat in Greenville. In late 2009, Esquire magazine called her one of four American "breakout chefs to watch."

Moore answered a few of our questions for our first "In the Kitchen" conversation. 

Q: What are your favorite summer ingredients?
A: My most favorite summer ingredients are anything and everything "home grown." I grew up that way -- eating everything from the garden. I still grow my own tomatoes and peppers. There is something about it ... you can almost taste the love that is put into the garden.

Q: Which chefs inspire you?
A: Thomas Keller, Frank Stitt and Ana Sortun.

Q: What's your prediction for the next big food or restaurant trend?
A: I don't know. Maybe chefs will return their focus to cooking and stay out of the chemistry labs for a little while ... please?

Q: Which three cooking gadgets or tools are your favorites?
A: My knife, my microplane grater/zester and my Japanese mandoline.

Q: What was your first job in food? What did you learn?
A: Don't laugh, Burger King. And I loved it! I learned that hard work never hurt anyone. I was 15 years old, making burgers and fries. It was the hardest (and only) work I had ever done. I loved it.

Q: What would your dream meal be?
A: This is a tough one. How about "Where would my dream meal be?" Answer: Italy.

Q: Even chefs don't eat gourmet every night. What is your ultimate comfort food or quick meal?
A: My ultimate comfort food is homemade baked macaroni and cheese, like my Nanny used to make.

Gwen Fowler
Discover writers share all of the places, activities and adventure that South Carolina has to offer. Read more from some of South Carolina’s locals and discover what’s happening in the Palmetto State.