More about Sam:

Sam trained in the Navy and continued cooking after his enlistment in restaurants throughout Atlanta. He purchased his own restaurant and served fine dining for years until he sold it to pursue an opportunity to work with the homeless in Columbia. After four years, he joined the South Carolina culinary team.

What is your favorite memory associated with food?

Learning how to make red beans and rice from his mother as an eight-year-old boy.

What advice do you have for anyone learning to cook for themselves?

Hot pan, cold oil.

What is a fun fact that the students should know about you?

I have walked up to the top of the leaning tower of Pisa.