Two birria quesitacos outside of Comal 864 and Chef Dayna making tortillas.

“Food is the quickest route to serving others,” Chef Dayna tells us. | Photos by GVLtoday

Born and raised in South Texas, Chef Dayna Lee-Márquez moved to the Upstate when her husband, a mechanical engineer, landed a job in Piedmont. She began cooking as a way to teach her son about his Mexican heritage.

Now she’s a 2023 James Beard semifinalist in the Best Chef: Southeast category.

A few other things happened between cooking for her son and earning this recognition, like opening Comal 864 on Woodside Avenue after gaining a following through pop-ups at local breweries.

We asked Chef Dayna seven questions — just hours after the list was released — about the recognition and how she went from working a desk job downtown to becoming a James Beard semifinalist.

Three birria quesitacos from Comal 864. — Chef Dayna’s Birria Quesitacos are *chef’s kiss.* | Photo by GVLtoday

How did you find out the news and how are you feeling?

I found out when it went out on social media. I was getting a pedicure and a food blogger sent me a message saying, “I’m so excited for you.” And I was like, “What are you talking about?” They sent me a screenshot and I thought, “They must’ve been hacked. This is not real.” I’ve been broken down ever since.

Is this moment something you pictured when you became a chef?

I put anything food-related on my TV to manifest this for one day down the road. In five years, ten years... James Beard. That’s when I thought it could happen.

I come from a place where you grow up on rice and beans and you think, “Maybe one day.” You never think it could really happen. I always thought I had to be X, Y, and Z to be a part of that group, and that’s not me. I am Latina-owned, woman-owned, queer-owned. How is this happening?

Click the button below to learn more about Chef Dayna, including the Greenvillians she looks up to most.

FIVE MORE QUESTIONS

EVENTS

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Friday, Jan. 27

S’mores and Pours | Friday, Jan. 27 | 4-7 p.m. | Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery, 205 Cedar Lane Rd., Greenville | Free | Come toast marshmallows and toast half-off drinks until 6 p.m.
Never Decaf Improv | Friday, Jan. 27 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Group Therapy, 320 Falls St., Ste. G, Greenville | Free entry | Catch this improv comedy group for an hour of fast-paced improvised comedy games.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Hartness Half Marathon and 5K | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 9 a.m. | Hartness, 500 Hartness Dr., Greenville | $40-$99 | Run a half or a 5K through the Hartness property benefiting A Child’s Haven.
Gasparilla Pirate Day with Randomonium | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 5-10 p.m. | Fireforge Crafted Beer, 311 E. Washington St., Greenville | Free entry | Ye Mystic Krewe of Fireforge is hosting a Gasparilla celebration with live music and swashbuckling fun.
Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs. Savannah Ghost Pirates | Saturday, Jan. 28 | Times vary | Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville | $24-$52 | It’s NASCAR Night at The Well featuring an e-simulator, real cars, and meet-and-greets with professional drivers.

Sunday, Jan. 29

Most Hilarious 2023 Comedy Competition Semi-Final | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 7 p.m. | Hoppin’ Greenville, 120 N. Markley St., Ste. 102, Greenville | $5 | It’s a comedy knock-out round with contestants competing for your laughs.

Monday, Jan. 30

MOMIX’s Alice | Monday, Jan. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Peace Center, 300 S. Main St., Greenville | $25-$65 | Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland, watch this show filled with acrobatics, magic, and whimsy.

Tuesday, Jan. 31

Plant to Plate | Tuesday, Jan. 31 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Taylors Burdette Branch, 316 W. Main St., Taylors | Free | Join Clemson SNAP-Ed and the Seed Library to learn all about how to grow and eat microgreens.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

EDU

Greenville Technical College recognized as a top school for online programs

Online education program_Greenville Technical College_GVL

Online courses offer the flexibility for anyone to pursue academic goals with options that meet their schedule + needs. | Photo via Unsplash

No. 97. That’s where Greenville Technical College landed on Newsweek’s list of America’s Top Online Colleges 2023, which highlights 200 of the nation’s top colleges with online degrees. Results are based on an online survey led by 11,400+ assessments from 9,000+ respondents who participated in online college degree programs. Institutions were rated based on personal experience, accessibility, support, cost of the program, expected student success, and more.

Additionally, GTC was the No. 1 technical college in the state of SC included on the list. It achieved a five-star rating and was ranked No. 2 out of all colleges and universities in the state — second only to Clemson University.

Greenville Technical College works with all types of students to help them fulfill their educational goals — wherever they are in life. Its online program allows students to work around their schedule backed by an in-person + online support system to provide direction no matter what life throws your way.

Greenville Technical College offers a variety of online and hybrid options. Explore the online schedule to find the classes, degree, or certificate that’s right for you.*

EXPLORE GTC'S ONLINE OFFERINGS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

50º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain

Civic

The Greenville Zoo and the City of Greenville will explore the possibility of a nonprofit operating the zoo rather than the city. Leaders are looking for a consultant to “perform a strategic assessment” on the zoo’s operations for “the best practices and the future of the zoo.” 🐆 (The Post and Courier Greenville)

Sports

The Carolina Panthers hired former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich as their new head coach — the first offensive-minded head coach in Panthers history. DYK Coach Reich was the first-ever starting quarterback for the Panthers franchise back in 1995? (ESPN)

Coming Soon

A new concept by Stella’s Restaurant Group will open in Mauldin’s BridgeWay Station. Serving “elevated, seasonal, and sustainable Southern comfort food with a distinct flair,” the menu will focus on small plates and shareables.
Mark your calendars. Reservations for Sum Bar (307 E. Washington St.) open Sunday, Feb. 5. The new dim sum spot will be reservation-only when it opens. Want to secure early access to snag a table? Sign up for Sum Bar’s emails. 🥟

Biz

Chestnut Coffee House and Market is celebrating one year in business with a birthday party featuring birthday lattes, birthday cake Scout’s Doughnuts, and raffles for merch. Stop by the Verde location (325 Rocky Slope Rd., #101) Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29 — a percentage of proceeds will benefit Sunday Dinner with a Twist. ☕

Real Estate

The National Association of Realtors named Greenville a “Market to Watch in 2023 and Beyond.” Ranked at No. 5 among the top 10 real estate markets, it cites robust job growth and a housing supply that keeps up with demand “better than nationally.” 🏘️

Outdoors

Table Rock State Park (158 Ellison Ln., Pickens) hopes to build a new Stool Mountain Trail, but it wants your feedback. The state park will host a public meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the visitor center for comments as it applies for a 2023 Recreational Trails Grant. ⛰️

Greenvillian

Happy birthday to Ryan H. (Sunday, Jan. 29), our 6AM City COO! We hope his special day is filled with all of his favorite things in Greenville. Did you know when you become a GVLtoday member, you’ll get a birthday shoutout, too? Join today. 🎉

Health

If quitting smoking was on your New Year’s resolution list — and you’re already feeling discouraged — know you’re not alone. Quitting smoking is a marathon, not a sprint, says MUSC Health Tobacco Treatment Specialist Emily Ware, Pharm.D. Need some motivation? Here are seven things you need to know to quit smoking.*

Active

Registration for the YMCA of Greenville’s spring youth soccer season (ages 3-14; both new and experienced players) is open through Monday, Jan. 30 ($85 for members; $120 for non-members). Practice starts Monday, Feb. 27. ⚽ *

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Traffic

What we’re buying for our cars: Dash cams. The REDTIGER Dual Dash Camera captures both the front and rear of your car and can be a lifesaver when it comes to contesting traffic violations and recording evidence of collisions. Plus, it connects to your mobile device. 🚦*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

OPEN

Meet the Jud Hub

A look inside the Jud Hub with colorful murals and work spaces.

You can stop in for a tour of the colorful space. | Photo by Jud Hub

In the work-from-home era, sometimes you need a change of scenery and crave the camaraderie of office life. Enter: Jud Hub, formally known as the Judson Mill Social Innovation Hub.

Located in The Historic Judson Mill District (701 Easley Bridge Rd., Ste. 6070, Bldg. 6000), this new flexible co-working space features:

Bookable meeting rooms
2 GB fiber optics internet
A physical mailing address
Access to the community printer
Office amenities including a cafe

There’s even more down the pike: Indoor athletics courts and access to pro bono services (think: legal, accounting, marketing, and grant writing) are part of the future plans.

Beyond the work and leisure, the Jud Hub aims to foster relationships between established organizations and start-up organizations.

Drop in with a $25 day pass or click the button below to learn about the monthly membership options starting at $150.

GET DOWN TO BUSINESS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Danielle.

Editor’s pick: I think my favorite part about interviewing Dayna was seeing so many community members and friends stop by to congratulate her and tell her she deserves this incredible honor. Each time — she greeted them with a huge hug and immense gratitude for their support.

I say this all the time, but my favorite part of doing this job is meeting business owners who want to serve Greenville and its people. It makes my job really fun when that’s who I get to write about.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Hit the “trails” in Jackson County, NC.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Kyle Steadings, Danielle Johnson, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Anne Hazard | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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