The Stories That Don't Always Fit on a Menu

Every once in a while, a thought gets stuck in my head. Living rent free with no regards for how many other thoughts may be occupying the space. They can range from something I learned while traveling, to an idea for a dish I would like to create, to the side of ranch I suddenly remember I forget to send out to that table. Then there are times when a portion of my mind opens to an enlightened idea, a memory from culinary school, an observation about life, an answer to a question I have been asking myself, or sometimes I even allow myself to think of the what ifs.

The funny thing is, most of those thoughts never really have a place to go. They do not necessarily belong on social media, and even if they were, the caption would be ridiculously long and let's face it, social media gives you 1.5 seconds to catch someone's attention. New dishes have their own space in the kitchen or a menu, and that side of Ranch, well that will sit in the refrigerator until the next guest. It's the thoughts from those moments my mind opens and allows for expression I want to find a home for. My mind sometimes feels like a browser that has reached its limit for open tabs. The thoughts become so many that it can be paralyzing. That is why I created this space. I am excited to write and share stories about varies topics and hope that it resonates with someone. And if they don't, that's fine as well, as long as they are not sitting dormant in my mind anymore, I will consider it a win.

For years, I've carried them with me. For years, I've carried them with me. Sometimes they came out while telling a story to a friend or opening up to my partner. Sometimes I wrote them down in the "Ideas" note on my phone. Maybe it was a lesson I found myself thinking about months later or a memory that kept finding its way back to the forefront of my mind. I am at the point that I need a place to put them. Not because I think every thought needs to be shared, but I do think that some of them are worth passing along.

That's why I created Myrtle Beach Chef.

Food will certainly be part of it. After all, food has been at the center of my life for as long as I can remember. But food is often just the setting and the story is usually something else. I want to write about the people, the lessons, so many mistakes I've made, experiences that were both negative and positive, conversations with friends or even strangers. I want to tell you about what I've learned from my plant obsession, my journey with fitness, places I've been, and the places I still hope to go.

So here is Myrtle Beach Chef, a place to write about whatever happens to be taking up space in my mind that day.

Sometimes that's food. Sometimes it isn't.

I am not promising a theme. I can't promise a life lesson, but I will do my best to share a story worth listening to.

So that's what this space will be. A collection of thoughts, observations, experiences, and stories gathered along the way. Some may make you hungry, some may make you think, and some may simply help you get to know me a little better.

Whatever they become, I'm glad they're finally finding a place to live.

Welcome to Myrtle Beach Chef.

These are "The stories that don't always fit on a menu."

— Jamie