Sherill A Finalist For Hospitality Spirit Award
Sherill A Finalist For Hospitality Spirit Award
Flora-Bama Executive Chef Chris Sherrill, has been named a finalist for the prestigious Spirit Award presented by the Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance. This award goes to an individual that has gone above and beyond in both personal challenges and work duties, inspiring both their co-workers and the entire industry. Chef Chris was selected to cook for the 2012 Olympics in London, where he and a team of chefs from the Gulf Coast brought their rich tradition to London to cook for American Olympians and their families. That same year he won the Alabama Festival of Flavor and took the top prize and People’s Choice award at the 5th Annual Hangout Oyster Cook-Off. He’s taken the title every year from 2013-2016 in the Perdido Key Wine and Arts Fest and won the Zatarain’s Shrimpfest Restaurant Challenge, which qualified him to represent the Flora-Bama Yacht Club and the Gulf Coast at the World Food Championships, where he finished 3rd in the seafood category. Chef Chris was instrumental in recruiting the World Food Championships to relocate to the Wharf in Orange Beach this fall.
While Chef Chris is appreciative of his many accolades, his true passion is working with others to make a difference in his community. He was heavily involved after the BP oil spill to bring to light the need for assistance to retain the beautiful beaches and highlight our area as a Gulf Coast tourism attraction. He has been an advocate for the need to eradicate the invasive lionfish species, showing how to utilize the species in numerous dishes. To that end, he co-founded the non-profit NUISANCE Group, which raises awareness of species of flora and fauna, which are Nuisance, Underutilized or Invasive, but Sustainable and Available through Noble, Culinary Endeavors. “His passion and enthusiasm for his restaurants, culinary creations, and noteworthy causes are engaging and inspiring,’’ said Jenifer Surface, the company’s marketing director. “We are proud to have Chef Chris Sherrill representing Flora-Bama and the Gulf Coast i