Springer Mountain Farms presents the Celebrate the Chef award to Kevin Korman, executive chef of Whitebird and Whiskey Thief at The Edwin Hotel in Chattanooga. The award is the highest honor bestowed by Georgia-based poultry producer Springer Mountain Farms, presented to a select handful of chefs who demonstrate culinary excellence, consistency in dining experience, and a commitment to the use of fresh and local ingredients, said officials.
“We are happy to recognize Chef Korman’s dedication to preserving and celebrating the ingredients and flavors of Appalachia and the Tennessee River Valley,” said Dale Faunce, marketing director for Springer Mountain Farms. “We believe his local and regional focus with the menu at Whitebird is elevating the dining scene in Chattanooga, and we look forward to seeing his continued success.”
Whitebird and The Edwin Hotel debuted in late Summer 2018. Chef Korman also oversees the dining offerings of Whiskey Thief, the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge. Chef Korman has spent his last two decades in kitchens across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic cultivating a love of food and perfection. As executive chef of Whitebird, The Edwin Hotel’s ground-floor restaurant, Chef Korman is committed to progressive Appalachian cooking that honors the indigenous bounty of the Tennessee River Valley with artful culinary creations that breathe new life into the traditional cuisine of the American South, said officials.
"At both Whitebird and Whiskey Thief, we are dedicated to offering the highest quality, regionally-inspired dishes, and that always begins with where we source our ingredients," said Chef Korman. "Springer Mountain Farms is one of our preferred vendors of ethically raised and locally sourced poultry product here at The Edwin, and I'm honored to have partnered with them since we opened our doors last year.”
Chef Korman graduated from Baltimore International College in 2002 where he studied classic French technique. He began his culinary career in a fine dining establishment under the watchful eye of Rudolph Speckhamp, one of the very few certified master chefs in the U.S. Looking to expand his palate, he transitioned to a position at the Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation in Eatonton, Ga. It was in this capacity that he explored and created his own style of cooking. In the following years, he moved back to Maryland to accept a position as instructor at the Lincoln Culinary Institute, adding an additional dimension to his repertoire. Rounding out his final years in Maryland, Chef Korman served as the executive chef of Santoni’s Marketplace and Catering Company. With over 70 employees, he mastered yet another aspect of hospitality management. His unrelenting pursuit of knowledge and creativity led him to Caliza in Alys Beach, Fl. to refine his style of modern American cuisine. There he grew from chef de cuisine of Caliza Restaurant to executive chef of all Alys Beach outlets.
Prior to joining the team at The Edwin, Chef Korman and his wife Angela opened Roselie Dining and Seafood Bar in 2015, a modern American seafood restaurant located in Inlet Beach, Fl. He has been featured on local and national television broadcasts, and been featured in national magazines such as The Local Palate, Men’s Fitness, Garden and Gun, and Southern Living.
“I am grateful for this award from Springer Mountain Farms, as it represents our shared commitment to providing the best ingredients to our customers," said Chef Korman. "The quality and consistency of their product allows us to keep our sourcing as close to Chattanooga as possible, which is appreciated by our culinary team as well as our guests."