That’s right…The Watermelon Eating Contest. You hear of legendary stories of one of these contests coming down to the wire between two “heavyweight” eating champions. The heat of the summer along with the cool crisp taste of watermelon, the camaraderie of the 4^th of July holiday, and a classic eating contest all make it the perfect combination for this day. The Recreation staff are experts (and experienced) in this epic watermelon eating contest; here are a few of their tips on how to win this year. (Hint: if you are planning on coming to this year’s 4^th of July Festival, I would take notes.)

“I like to start in the middle of the melon, eating my way straight down to the bottom as fast as I can. I then go from side-to-side; not caring how much ends up on my face. And don’t worry about the seeds; I’ve never had a watermelon grow inside of my stomach yet!”

~Tyler Uhlenbrauck, Recreation Programming Supervisor

“Don’t choke! Although one might think it is not even possible, take my word; to complete such a task, it is! Chewing the watermelon is much easier than just attempting to swallow chunks of it. There is nothing wrong with getting into the competition, but you don’t want to be known around the festival as ‘that’ person that goes overboard.”

~Chelsey Stegmaier, Kamp Kiawah Supervisor

“Practice habits make game habits, so be sure to try it a few times before the actual competition. Also, make sure you have your hair tied back (mostly for girls). You don’t want your hair to get in the way!”

~Kari Bowman, Recreation Program Manager

“You really want a good pump up playlist beforehand…I always tune out the many fans that are asking for autographs and pictures; just try and stay in the zone, we know these things can get a little crazy. When you find your seat, all that should be running through your head is that slab of watermelon…be one with the melon. Then once the whistle blows, it’s game time. The rookie mistake is coming up for air too soon; keep your head down, breathe through your nose, and you will be just fine. If you don’t end up with watermelon from cheek to cheek, you’re doing it wrong.”

~Tom Burgess, Recreation Marketing Specialist

The post How to Win a Watermelon Eating Contest appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

Have you been stressed out lately and in need of a relaxing day in the Spa?  Come out to the inviting Southern back porch style Spa at Kiawah Island’s Sanctuary Hotel and spend the day getting pampered and rejuvenated while on your stay out on the island.  If you have ever wanted to experience a true relaxing afternoon and get renewed, try one of our new treatments such as the Natural Body Lift or Natural Facelift Facial before dinner in the Ocean Room.  The Natural Body Lift includes a mixture of a mud scrub and seaweed serum to create the Transformation Ritual and last 60 minutes.  The Natural Facelift Facial uses a BT Micro machine and last 60 minutes.  So if you are looking for the latest in Spa treatments, please stop by the Sanctuary Spa while you are visiting the Sanctuary on your stay.   http://www.kiawahresort.com/the-sanctuary-spa

The post Natural Body and Facelifts at Sanctuary Spa appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

When thinking about Father’s Day and what Dad would like, it’s hard not to pull in some of his influences while crafting a menu as a salute to the big guy. “So, on Sunday we’ll be grilling on the patio some smoked baby back ribs, street corn and pulled pork sliders while featuring a pony beer station to compliment the smoky flavor from the grill,” remarked Sous Chef John Hoffman.

So, the other guy might have won the trophy but Dad can still celebrate like a champion at Jasmine Porch Brunch.

The post Father’s Day Brunch of Champions! appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

By, Grace Cleworth, KIGR Recreation Administrative Assistant

It is the question that looms over my head each year at the middle of June. What Father’s Day gift can I possibly get for a dad that’s given me way more in life that money can ever buy?!  After years of dealing with 2 daughters with endless support, kind words, and compassion, there never seems like much that would possibly repay him appropriately. Sure the typical gift ideas always run through my head- grill tools, golf shirt, case of beer;  but for a man that has worn the same cologne since marrying my mother over 25 years ago, he is pretty well set in his ways. I find it hard to walk in a store and compare any of the items to the time it took us to look at colleges, the hours of driving back and forth to sports practices, or the huge heart that was always available for a chat through the good times and bad.  Maybe a perfectly tailored shirt? Seems like hardly enough to cover the backbone of our family.

When I found out that my dad, mom, and sister would be making the drive up to Charleston for Father’s Day weekend last year, I was thrilled. Living in different states and juggling everyone’s work schedules usually makes it difficult to be together on holiday weekends. Then comes the typical stress of the family visit- where should we eat, what can we do, what do you do when you’re not working?! Gulp! Fortunately, it didn’t take too long to draw up the perfect Father’s Day adventure- my sister and I would re-pay my dad for all of the shopping trips, the times he started the car early to get the air conditioning running, the cell phone bills (well, we may be forever in debt for those) ; we decided to take our dad Inshore Fishing in the Kiawah River.

He was thrilled at the idea; it was something he always wanted to do with us. Even though the fish “bite” was a little slow that day, being on the water was anything far from a perfect way to spend the day. Being able to share the beauty and tranquility of the area I am so lucky to be able to work at everyday was truly worth the trip in itself. Captain John worked tirelessly to put us on the fish, and the look of excitement on my dad’s face when the rod furiously bent while we talked and floated in the middle of the River was priceless. He took the rod and fought the fish for a good amount of time before Captain John helped get the almost 20lb shark into the boat. Though we knew what a strong and merciless guy our dad was, my sister and I couldn’t have been more impressed.

As luck would have it, I’ll be fortunate enough to be with my family again this Father’s Day. To make my life even easier, my sister and I have already agreed to what we’ll get dad for Father’s Day. No trouble thinking of the perfect gift this year; we already have our tradition in the making.

The post Father’s Day on Kiawah Island – Inshore Fishing appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

 Chef Ryley McGillis of Jasmine Porch has incorporated this summer crop in a number of his new seasonal dishes.

Gazpacho

Buffalo Alligator Tail

Roasted Atlantic Salmon

John’s Island Gazpacho

Cucumber, Sweet Peppers, Okra and Corn Salad

Buffalo Alligator Tail

Celery, Carrot & Chile Escabeche, Smoked Blue Cheese, Crispy Okra

Roasted Atlantic Salmon

Corn, Tomatoes, Okra, Tasso Ham, Carolina Gold Rice, Spiced Crawfish Broth

Loggerhead Grill, another fan of okra utilizes this ingredient as their key component in Chef Curtis Clark’s gumbo which is featured periodically at our Seaside Buffet on Friday evenings.

Gumbo

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Produced in Germany, Underberg is a natural herbal digestive. Its aromatic herbs from 43 countries provide a digestive aid containing naturally existing vitamin B1, protein, antioxidants and sugar (i.e. fructose).  This digestif is suitable for diabetics, free of added sugars, and is gluten free.

Only available in small one portion bottles, Underberg is great right after your meal or, if you have over imbibed in beverages, it’s a great morning after hang over cure. “It’s flavor is quite intense showing notes of clove, cinnamon and anise,” exclaims Garth Herr, The Ocean Room Sommelier. “Just take it down in one quick sip and wait for the flavors to develop.  Then when all that intensity passes, you suddenly feel fresh and new!”

So, next time you are in The Ocean Room and you’ve over-satisfied your palate, remember to ask Gregg to unwrap a bottle of Underberg.

The post Welcome to Underberg! appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

This in-house creation has inspired a number of new dishes soon to be released on Jasmine Porch’s summer menu. One dish to be on the lookout for is the Moonshine Pork Chop with Early Summer Ratatouille and Smokey Grilled Corn Grits. This is a double cut bone in pork chop that has been marinated in Heirloom Moonshine and local Charleston olive oil, salt, and cracked black pepper. Served with an early tomato, and sunburst squash ratatouille, quickly sautéed with fresh local herbs, and finished with local stone ground grits, with house smoked bacon, and South Carolina grilled corn.

 “The motivation behind this dish was to create almost a strictly southern concept behind this entrée,” Sous Chef John Hoffman speaks about this beautiful summer dish with excitement. “We started with a double cut bone in pork chop that has been marinated with some Fire Fly Moonshine made right here in the Palmetto state, and olive oil that is local to Charleston. We choose the bone in pork chop, because in most households this is a staple in any southern kitchen. From there we sourced some of the freshest and most local tomatoes, as well as local Sunburst Squash, and local spring onions to create Jasmine’s version of Ratatoulluie. This dish is classily braised for hours, but to lighten the dish up a little bit we have just put a quick sauté and season on the vegetables, so they retain not only the beautiful colors, but there freshness as well. The dish is then simply finished with yet another southern staple. GRITS. These are local grits that have been cooked with our house cured Bacon.”

The post BBQ Season, Anyone? appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

Are you in need of the latest swimwear and local handcrafted jewelry?  We have you covered with our latest Flora Bella swim wear and cover-ups, as well as local artist, Nicholas Lane’s beautiful handmade jewelry to pick from.  Make sure to make a stop by the Sanctuary Spa to pick out the latest in designer swim wear for the beach and pool while staying at Kiawah, and don’t forget those new earrings you have been dying to pick out for dinner later at the Ocean Room!

The post The latest in fashion at the Sanctuary Spa appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

Trust us; this will be one for the books! Call now to reserve your table at 843-768-6253.  Wine Lovers Unite!

The post Wine lovers delight! – The Ocean Room’s June 6th Wine Dinner with Perception Wines appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

First manatee of the 2013 season has been has spotted in Charleston waters. When one thinks of manatees, an image of sea grass beds in Florida appears in the mind. However, the range of these Florida sea cows extends into the Georgia and South Carolina coasts during the summer due to warmer water temperatures. Manatees can withstand water temperatures of 68 degrees Fahrenheit before the animal is stressed from the cold temperatures. They frequently migrate through shallow estuaries to freshwater springs in search of seagrass and other vegetation. Most scientists agree that manatees must periodically have access to freshwater, which is why it is common to see fishermen spraying manatees with a hose. Manatees are often found drinking freshwater from storm drain outfalls and gathering at river mouths.

Manatees are large mammals that grow to be about 10 feet long and weigh between 800 and 1200 pounds. They spend most of their time eating, resting, and traveling. Trichechus manatus is known to migrate large distances along the Eastern coast of the United States in search of food. Manatees are mostly herbivorous, consuming sea grass, algae, and mangrove leaves using their two front flippers. They consume about four to nine percent of their body weight daily, devoting about six to eight hours to eating every day. Manatees breathe air through their nostrils, and must come up for air three to four times while swimming. As they submerge, their nostrils close automatically and are capable of holding their breath for 15 minutes.

On occasion, manatees can be found swimming in and around the Kiawah River. So next time you are kayaking down the Kiawah River, keep your eyes out for a large gray figure, for it may be a manatee coming up for air.

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