Three chefs will represent the best SC has to offer. One runs a Rock Hill restaurant
Hometown chef Rob Masone came back to Rock Hill to elevate its food scene. Now Masone gets the chance to do it statewide.
Masone is one of three South Carolina culinary experts tabbed as a 2023 South Carolina Chef Ambassador. The role highlights top chefs in the state, which Masone will represent at food festivals, events and forums.
Masone is chef at Kounter in downtown Rock Hill. Masone also runs Kre8 Xperiences, the Gathering Space event spot beside Kounter and the Twisted Eats food truck in his native Rock Hill.
Masone said he’s honored by the ambassador award, and wants to share his passion and belief that it’s perfectly fine to play with your food.
“I hope to inspire those to follow their culinary passions whether at home or in a professional setting, to motivate people to eat and spend locally,” Masone said.
Visit York County CEO Andy Clinton said Masone is an active advocate for tourism and hospitality in the area. Masone is one of several area chefs who partnered in the new YoCo Taste Trail Week last fall to add a local restaurant week concept similar to others across Charlotte or South Carolina. Last summer, Masone started a Sunday Supper Club dinner series to grow business and foot traffic downtown.
“He is actively involved in local workforce development efforts to support a thriving hospitality talent pipeline,” Clinton said.
Masone also has been recognized for the renovation of Kounter, an historically significant city site where a 1961 sit-in by Friendship Junior College students helped spur eventual social change in the city.
“Not only do locals love his dishes, but visitors alike flock to Kounter to try the food and learn more about the restaurants’ history and significance,” said Olde English District Tourism Commission executive director Jenny Parrish.
The latest award isn’t the first for Masone, nor for Rock Hill.
Two years ago the 13-state Southeast Tourism Society named Masone its Epicurean Partner of the Year. That award, which goes to a chef or restaurateur who contributes to the overall success of an area, was the first of its kind in this region.
Rock Hill has had a state chef ambassador. In 2017 Amy Fortes earned the culinary award. Fortes also has an impressive background from food week participation to competing on a Guy Fieri show to a Flipside Restaurant Group that includes Rock Hill and Fort Mill locations.
Six existing or coming restaurants or catering options are included in the Flipside family.
The state chef ambassador program started in 2014 as a way for then Gov. Nikki Haley to highlight talented chefs, great recipes and state produce. The aim is to blend two state pillars of tourism and agriculture.
This story was originally published January 26, 2023 at 11:52 AM.
