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Chef Chris Sherrill Amazing Cuisine at the World-Famous Flora-Bama. Chris Sherrill knows from personal experience that “Life can change in 30 seconds”. One of his favorite quotes to this day, these words accurately describe his own entry into the culinary field over 25 years ago. “I grew up in the Boy Scouts where I loved to cook. I wanted to play college football, but had an injury my senior year of high school,” said Sherrill. “Someone suggested that I become a chef. I entered a high school recipe contest and won a scholarship to Johnson & Wales University. I graduated in 1997 and began my career.” Now the Executive Chef overseeing operations at Flora-Bama Yacht Club, Flora-Bama Lounge & Package, Flora- Bama Ole River Grill, Sherrill also lives by another one of his favorite quotes: “If you can kill it, I can grill it!” A Mardi Gras catering event brought Sherrill down from Birmingham over a decade ago, where a chance encounter with another culinary visionary also helped to shape his future. “I met an amazing individual named John Brunick. John had a vision for a fantastic new restaurant concept. John moved us down here in 2006 and we opened a very successful catering business and restaurant.” Sherrill points to the “instant gratification” of making food memories and “using my skill to help others achieve their goals” as some of his favorite aspects of his career in the food industry, which has its own challenges. “The restaurant business is one of the most fast paced and chaotic industries. There are many crazy days and many hectic moments. At the end of the day it’s all about the customer.” The Sherrill family consists of his wife Jenny, son Alex and three daughters - Taylor, Hannah and Sadie. Chris lists Coin Collecting, Metal Detecting, Fishing and Hunting as hobbies, but also has one interest that jumps out from the rest of the list - making underutilized fish, flora, and fauna become sought-after food items. Not content to be satisfied with his current success, Sherrill has additional, lofty goals. “I hope to cultivate a true “Alabama” Cuisine. I want to start my own video production company and film my own food concept shows. I want to see World Food Championship grow to the most amazing food competition event in the entire UNIVERSE.”


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