Sam Diminich

Cooking is in Chef Sam Diminich’s lineage. Originally from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Diminich grew up in the restaurants of both his father and grandfather. After working his way up the ranks in his family restaurants and training with other local chefs, Diminich enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America where he graduated with a degree in Culinary Arts.    

After graduation, Diminich trained under Chef and Owner Georges Perrier at Le Bec Fin in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He then headed back to the South where he worked BLT Steak located in the Ritz Carlton Charlotte, Executive Chef Raffaele Dall’Erta at The Hampton’s Restaurant in Sumter and was Executive Chef of Upstream Restaurant in the SouthPark area of Charlotte. In 2019 Sam appeared on Beat Bobby Flay on the Food Network Channel, taking down the legendary Chef in a ‘battle’ of Lobster Risotto.     

Sam has also been very transparent about his sobriety and has found a purpose in sharing his journey publicly in hopes of helping others with similar journeys. He is Co-Leader of the Charlotte, NC chapter of Ben’s Friends, a food and beverage support group offering hope, fellowship and path forward to those food and beverage professionals who struggle with addiction and alcoholism.    

Chef Diminich is passionate about working with local ingredients. His approach to cooking is to honor the ingredients using sound techniques with a balance of flavors and textures blending traditional flavors with contemporary ones. His goal is to have a celebratory impact on the guest dining experience.    When he is not in the kitchen, Sam enjoys spending time with his two children, Constance and Allan Grey, enjoying the beauty of the Carolinas.