Southern Comfort

The South Carolina-born Chef Opens Up About His Restaurants, His Famous Clientele And His Surprising Guilty Pleasure

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He’s a famous chef, Food Network host and bestselling cookbook author, but Tyler Florence has always stayed true to his roots. “I’m from the South, so I’m all about hospitality and making sure people love what they’re eating,” says Tyler, who brings a taste of his home state of South Carolina to all of his eateries. “Nothing in my restaurants is too precious — it’s all about comfort.” And while he’s no stranger to pushing the culinary envelope, “if I’m being honest, I’m happiest just serving an amazing green goddess salad and a big plate of fried chicken,” admits the Great Food Truck Race star. As he celebrates more than two decades in the indust