LONG BEACH, Miss. (WLOX) - A new day for an old favorite — after two full decades away, Chef John “Chappy” Chapman is back on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Those who knew Chapman’s previous creations are back at his newest eatery, Coastal Kitchen.
“All of his food is exceptional,” described Belinda Duke.
The prodigal chef had his life turned upside down, the way many were 20 years ago.
“Well, I lost everything in Katrina,” said Chapman. “Katrina is why I ended up bouncing to Nashville, which is where I was for nine years. It’s just the way the cards get played sometimes in life. You never know how your cards are going to get played, and you’ve got to play them. So, that’s what I did.”
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He always wanted to come back, but it wasn’t easy for him.
“I love the beach,” he added. “I lived on the beach. I worked on the beach, but after you lose everything on the beach, it’s hard to go back to the beach and put everything at risk again.”
Coastal Kitchen has now been serving Long Beach for just over a month. Though he is bringing back some familiar dishes, he is moving forward and looking to shake things up.
“I think the menu is a touch of the old with a lot of new flavors and looks,” said Chapman.
“I’ll tell you, he makes some of the most fabulous desserts you’ve ever eaten,” said Duke. “That happens to be one of my favorites.”
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Coastal Kitchen opened its doors in mid-December.
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