MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Visit Myrtle Beach recently teamed up with People Inc, the largest digital and print publisher, to host its first in-person culinary event since the COVID-19 pandemic at the Southern Living Test Kitchen in Birmingham, Alabama. During the event, Jess Sagun and her daughter, Kinsey Muller, of Winna’s Kitchen in Myrtle Beach, showcased flavors of the Grand Strand to national media representatives.
PICTURED: L to R – Sid Evans, editor in chief of Southern Living, Kinsey Muller and Jess Sagun of Winna’s Kitchen. CREDIT: Visit Myrtle Beach
"Growing up, Southern Living was always a source of inspiration for me and is a brand I've admired for as long as I can remember,” said Jess Sagun, owner and chef, Winna’s Kitchen. “To step into the Test Kitchen and cook alongside my daughter for such a special audience was truly a dream come true."
Sagun and Muller conducted a live demonstration of their signature Golden Focaccia Cheese Toast with Honey and Thyme, a dish inspired by a cherished family recipe, while answering questions from Sid Evans, editor in chief of Southern Living and other luncheon attendees. Additionally, they served a multicourse lunch inspired by coastal Carolina traditions, underscoring the rich flavors and cultural heritage that define the Myrtle Beach dining scene. The menu featured the following:
Front Porch Tomato Lemonade, a garden-fresh signature drink blending tomato, lemon and local honey.
Crisp Apple and Celery Salad with dates, parmesan and brown-butter panko.
Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits with locally sourced Palmetto Farms stone-ground yellow grits, sweet peppers and fresh basil.
Apple Cider Skillet Chicken with apple cider beurre blanc.
Yeasted Herb Potatoes topped with crisped herbs.
Roasted Pears with Vanilla Cream, chocolate ganache, raspberry coulis and cocoa nibs.
In attendance were editors and journalists from across People, Inc.’s many iconic brands such as Southern Living and Food & Wine, as well as several freelance journalists and culinary content creators.
“This was an incredible opportunity to highlight Myrtle Beach’s culinary talent on one of the South’s most iconic platforms,” said Denielle Van Dyke, Visit Myrtle Beach Public Relations Manager. “Having our hometown chefs lead the first post-pandemic culinary event in the Southern Living Test Kitchen, in front of an audience of journalists, helps us tell the story of Myrtle Beach as a vibrant food destination.”
As part of People Inc., Southern Living reaches 12.3 million readers monthly, celebrating the food, homes, places and culture of the South. The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been a trusted name in Southern food culture since 1970, four years after Southern Living magazine debuted.
This partnership helps illustrate Myrtle Beach as both a growing culinary destination and a true example of Southern hospitality and innovation.
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Please Note: Additional images from the event are available upon request.
About Visit Myrtle Beach
Visit Myrtle Beach is the official destination marketing organization for the Myrtle Beach area, promoting the region as a vibrant, welcoming destination made up of 14 unique communities stretching 60 miles along the northeast coast of South Carolina. With a mission to promote, protect and improve the region collectively known as the Grand Strand, Visit Myrtle Beach works to enhance the quality of life for local residents by fostering a sustainable tourism economy that supports local jobs and generates critical funding for public services, schools and infrastructure. For more information, visit VisitMyrtleBeach.com or call (888) Myrtle-1.