Local chef wins Food Network competition

A Biloxi chef recently won his battle on Food Network’s ‘Alex vs. America’ against three other chefs.

Austin Sumrall, chef and owner of White Pillar restaurant and lounge in Biloxi, was invited to compete against Food Network’s Alex Guarnaschelli and three other chefs in a southern comfort cookoff.

Despite owning a restaurant in the south, Sumrall told News 25 this was a little out of his comfort zone as the White Pillars focuses on fine dining.

Sumrall won with his ‘grits and grillades.’ “That was definitely the best part. I enjoyed the opportunity to be on the show, but I don’t take losing very well so that was really nice. And I’ll be honest, watching it yesterday, I was just as nervous as when I was on the show even though I already knew that I won. It felt like I was watching it for the first time.”

As for Chopped, you’ll have to stay tuned to see how he does.