You’re going to lick your chops during this episode of Traveling Golfer – especially if you love a golf vacation that involves great food.
Plus, you will also get a chance to meet our new host, who will be taking over the West Coast shows while I stay here on the East Coast. We introduce you to Chef Marc Cummings, who knows his way around the golf course and the kitchen.
We meet in Myrtle Beach during an odd winter weather stretch. As you will see, we hit plenty of golf shots in between our food escapades. But we’re not on the golf course. Nope, some cold and wintry weather prevented us – and anyone else – from playing the dozens of great golf courses along the Myrtle Beach Golf Trail that we have shown you here on previous shows.
However, we still got some swings in thanks to golf’s newest technology. We traveled to the Ultimate Long Drive studios at Wingding Media in Longs, South Carolina and we pounded the ULD Golf Simulator that is well-used for the national and worldwide long drive competitions.
Now, Chef Marc and I didn’t exactly overpower the screen with explosive shots. Instead, we throw out some witty golf barbs at each other. To be honest, some called them nit-witty.
Still, we got ourselves prepared for some great food in the Myrtle Beach area, which is becoming a foodie destination – and not just for golfers.
Soho So Good
First, we hit Soho, an Asian Fusion cuisine that has three restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area.
Before we chow down, Chef Marc joins Sushi Chef Ray in the sushi kitchen. As he prepares our rolls, Chef Marc does a running commentary like a golf shot running down a fairway in Scotland. While Chef Ray works his wizardy, Chef Marc explains how Chef Ray earned the title of Rock Star Sushi Chef.
We then get presented with the incredible dishes: the mouth-watering Volcano roll and the signature Soho roll. We pair it with the crisp and refreshing Yuengling Lager. Chef Marc describes “an explosion of flavors that dances on the palate.” However, you don’t get to see us eat it. Why? The show producers say it’s not very appealing to watch us stuff ourselves, then look starry-eyed, and barely say anything.
You will get a great look at the dishes and how vibrant they are.
Next, we hit Spiros Pancake House. No golf trip to Myrtle Beach is complete without an early morning stop here. It’s operated by Chef Spiros Steiner, a veteran with over 50 years in the culinary business.
He sits with Chef Marc and me and discusses some of his secrets.
Spiros Secrets
The first is the restaurant opens at 6 AM every day. But if you get there at 5 AM, Chef Spiros is already there so he will bring you in and get your meal started.
The second secret is his renowned from-scratch pancakes — that can be gluten-free. So, if you’ve been avoiding pancakes for stomach reasons, you can get that old style taste and not have to worry.
After enjoying a meal at Spiros, Chef Marc admits he would be better off having an after-golf meal here because the portions are so big. Chef Marc worries an early morning big breakfast could lead to some sleepy moments on the golf course.
Chef Marc Takes A Swing in The Kitchen
Later in the show, Chef Marc gets into the kitchen and prepares one of his favorite dishes – Chicken Fajitas. One reason why it’s his favorite, and this is a big part of Chef Marc’s culinary expertise, that the meal is easy and quick to prepare and it is cost-effective. Trust me, it was delicious.
I think this episode of “Traveling Golfer” captures the essence of what makes the series so addictive: the delightful blend of golf’s relaxing nature with the innovative and diverse realm of food. Chef Marc’s culinary expertise combined with the light-hearted, engaging personalities of the golfers makes for a must-watch episode – and on many more to come.
Tune in to witness more delightful blends of East meets West in a golfing and culinary escapade that we hope leaves you inspired and perhaps a bit hungry.
Dive into this one right now.
Real John Daly is a Producer and fill-in Host for the Traveling Golfer. He writes and produces for the TGD Newswire at www.thegolfdirector.com. He is a former player on the Celebrity Players Tour who still holds a single-digit handicap. He was the host of Real TV, the groundbreaking reality show in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He is currently the Co-Creator and Co-Host of Undercover Jetsetter with Susan Anzalone, a show on travel, food, wine, mixology and, of course, golf. They show you how to jet set the world and at home. They also co-authored the book, The TV Studio In Your Hand: How to Shoot, Edit & Deliver the Easy Way on Your iPhone.
