FIG Brings Melanie Durant to Charleston

Though the sticky sorghum cake at FIG is a highly praised dish, the restaurant realized it was time to put some more thought into the dessert menu. In early April, Hanna Raskin reported that chef Mike Lata was shopping around for a pastry chef. In the article, Lata said, "Although we currently are inspired to create desserts and are proud of our program, (chef de cuisine) Jason Stanhope and I feel like the program deserves the attention of a pastry chef with focus, pedigree and passion."

Yesterday, Atlanta magazine revealed that Melanie Durant of Southern favorite Empire State South would fill the coveted position at FIG.

Food & Wine magazine named Durant one of the Best New Pastry Chefs of 2013, and her desserts are well-known by followers of Hugh Acheson's eatery. Atlanta magazine asked Durant why she wants to move to Charleston, and she responded, "I've always wanted to raise our kid near the ocean—playing in the marsh, catching crabs, eating oysters all day."
· FIG to "Start Paying Extra Attention to Pastry" [P&C]
· All FIG Coverage [-ECHS-]
· Melanie Durant moves to Charleston, Ryan Smith returns to Empire State South [Atlanta]