From chef to the stars to star chef at Larkin's on the River, Alex Castro enjoys creating dishes deserving of the spotlight. Though he has wowed the likes of George Clooney, Keven Costner, Wanda Sykes and others, he takes his craft just as seriously when it comes to the clientele of the Greenville restaurant, where he serves as executive chef and vice president of cuisine - another term for culinary mastermind.
Approach
Flavor, fresh ingredients and colorful presentations: These make up the gastronomic trinity Castro relies upon when his creative juices get flowing. And he's not afraid to mix things up. His distinctive fusions surprise and delight the senses. Think tenderloin sided with Gouda-spiked creamy potatoes, lamb shank with a sage pepper sauce and Chilean sea bass with shrimp sofrito.
Backstory
Castro came a long way - from Honduras, to be exact - to begin his cooking career in 1992 with a stint at Greenville Country Club. There, he acquired skills from some of the area's best chefs and took them with him to the Palms Restaurant, where he worked as a line cook until moving on up to the top as executive chef. In 2005, Larkin's beckoned, and Castro answered the call, accepting the challenge of helming the kitchen of the exciting new eatery on the Reedy River. His innovative menu and expert way with aged beef and fresh seafood garnered the admiration of locals, as well as celebrities visiting the city. Castro's success means Larkin's continues to be an integral part of downtown Greenville's burgeoning food scene.
