By Becky Billingsley

Tuesday, August 21, 2012, Myrtle Beach – Wayne Evans, owner of Zulu Lounge & Bistro in Myrtle Beach, has announced the finalists and date for Myrtle Beach’s Next Best Chef competition.

The date for the culinary throw-down will be Friday, Sept. 28, at Zulu Lounge & Bistro.

Participating chefs were chosen in an on-line voting poll. Five chefs who received the most votes are eligible to take part in the  “Food Network style challenge…when five chefs will prepare a signature dish that will be taste-tested and graded on a scale of 1-5 stars in three different categories,” Evans said. A panel of judges that will include chefs will choose the winner.

The five chefs who received the most votes are:

Kevin Levine – Scatori’s Pizzeria, Myrtle Beach

Nick Batchelder – Louis’s at Sanford’s, Pawleys Island

Bradley Boandl – Bistro 90, Longs

Jeff Ray – Zulu Lounge & Bistro, Myrtle Beach

Trey Bell – Ailsa Pub, Myrtle Beach

Additionally, there are two alternate chefs in case any of the above five chefs cannot clear their schedules on Sept. 28:

Steven Perrone – Perrone’s Market, Pawleys Island

Michael Gadson – Springmaid Beach Resort & Conference Center

The judged winner will receive the title of Myrtle Beach’s Next Best Chef and a $250 prize package. Another chef will receive a Caribbean cruise for two if he is voted the Fan Favorite the night of the competition.

Tickets to the event will cost $20, with a portion of proceeds benefitting Citizens Against Spouse Abuse. The evening will include a buffet-style sampling of the chefs’ dishes and a wine tasting from Southern Spirits.

Zulu Tapas Lounge is at 9668 N. Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach, and the number is (843) 213-1730. Evans can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .