Ben Towill: Culinary Mastery, Sustainable Food, and Epic Adventures

How are we doing? Who do you want to learn from next? Text us with notes and ideas.What drives someone to leave behind the culinary grandeur of New York City for the historic charm of Charleston? Discover the compelling journey of Ben, an English-born restaurateur who trained under Gordon Ramsay before planting roots in the South. We promise you'll gain insights into his motivations for this life-changing move, his dedication to sustainable food systems, and the monumental feat of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean.Join us as we spotlight the dynamic duo behind Basic Projects. Ben and his wife Kate, whose impressive background in set design includes work on Wes Anderson films, share their transformative experiences. From the bustling streets of NYC, where Ben managed The Fat Radish, to opening Basic Kitchen in 2017, learn how they navigated the challenges of launching a successful restaurant in Charleston. Their story is one of resilience and innovation, epitomized by strategic decisions like adding a hamburger to their menu to expand their appeal.But their adventures don't stop at the kitchen. Get inspired by their cross-country biking odyssey, the story of their friend Charlie’s transformation through cycling, and the riveting 3,000-mile nautical race they completed as the Dreamboats team. You'll hear about the life lessons they've gleaned from these incredible journeys—lessons in teamwork, community, and the power of perseverance. Tune in for a captivating episode that marries culinary ambition with extraordinary adventure.South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) is a public, nonprofit organization that fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy by supporting technology-based startups, academic research, and industry partnerships. Through funding, coaching, and its investment arm SC Launch, SCRA helps early-stage companies grow, commercialize ideas, and scale within the state’s key innovation sectors.Support the showTitle Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing AssociationPresenting Sponsor: Charleston Media SolutionsAnnual Sponsor: ‪SCRA; South Carolina Research AuthorityQuarterly Sponsor: King and ColumbusCAMACast Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow, Mike Compton, Rachel Backal, Tom Keppeler, Amanda Bunting Comen, Silicon Harbor Hot Take Host: Stanfield Gray, https://digsouth.comProduced and edited: RMBO AdvertisingPhotographer | Co-host: Kelli MorseScore by:  The Strawberry Entrée; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenuStudio Engineer: Brian Cleary and Mathew ChaseYouTube...