The Richmond Hill City Center’s Executive Chef, Kevin Nape, was named the winner of the 2018 Savannah Gourmet Seafood and Spirits Festival AquaCurean Challenge last weekend for the second year in a row.  This competition takes place at the annual four-day seafood and spirits festival and is hosted by the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa on Hutchinson Island in Savannah.  Now in its fifth year, the festival includes a number of seafood and spirit events and attracts chefs from across the nation to compete in the AquaCurean Challenge.

Beverly Cosmann, General Manager of the Richmond Hill City Center said, “This is a huge honor and well-deserved triumph for our Chef.   When we were able to attract someone of Chef Kevin’s caliber and experience to our organization last year, the accolades began almost immediately in response to his culinary approach which emphasizes unique, custom-prepared cuisine.  We are delighted that he has been recognized by the judges of the AquaCurean Challenge as he so frequently is by our guests at the city center.”

Chef Kevin Nape’s winning dish, his Southern Smoked Seafood Trio, combines cherry wood smoked crab leg meat, applewood smoked lobster and hickory/mesquite smoked shrimp.  This stunning combination is served on a fresh mango relish in a radicchio cup, topped with micro greens and topped with a choice of three sauces - chili, citrus or peach.  Chef Kevin comments; “I love to use locally sourced ingredients and my recipes are frequently inspired by living and working in beautiful Coastal Georgia.  I appreciate the support of my team and management at the City Center and am thrilled to have won this prestigious award.”

Chef Kevin joined the City Center in 2017 to oversee culinary operations for one of the most respected wedding, corporate and social event venues in Coastal Georgia.  He has worked in the catering field for 35 years working his way up the ranks as a sous chef in a wide variety of culinary landscapes from country clubs, hotels, fine dining establishments, convention centers and sporting events. He has been an executive chef for over 17 years, serving up fine cuisine for Quad Cities in the Illinois and Iowa areas, in establishments such as TCP of Deere Run, the Grand Harbor Resort, Swing of the Quad Cities, Iowa Events Center, Davenport Good Samaritan Center and Hotel Blackhawk before bringing his talents to Richmond Hill.  Chef Kevin has successfully catered over 5,000 banquets and weddings, serving anywhere from two to 8,200 guests, and has successfully competed in various cooking competitions over the years.

Located just a few minutes from Pooler, Savannah, Rincon, Hinesville, Bloomingdale and Port Wentworth, the Richmond Hill City Center is primely located near historic wetlands. From the esthetic appeal of the facility to the well-trained staff, the Richmond Hill City Center is the perfect setting for events of all types and seasons. Richmond Hill City Center is set a midst 335 acres of wetlands and park. The center specializes in corporate and association meetings/events, weddings and receptions, as well as private functions and parties. The venue consists of a 4,000 square-foot ballroom and 10 meeting rooms, making up 23,000 square feet of multifunctional event space. Nape and his culinary team will provide the finest food and beverage solutions tailored to every individual event’s needs. Due to its central locations and unique atmosphere, the City Center has been voted Bryan County’s “Favorite Event Venue” time and again.