“It was very intense,” McGroarty told us. “The hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
Season 61 of the cooking show classic premieres tomorrow, Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. with a new spin, and McGroarty is one of 16 chefs kicking off the new season in the challenging kitchen over the next five weeks. In addition to tackling the basket ingredients, the chefs will bid in an auction before each round to determine their fourth ingredient.
“If I’m being honest, 70% of the ingredients I — as a chef — have never used,” McGroarty admitted.
Whose dish is on the chopping block? Will McGroarty’s inexperience with the mystery ingredients hold him back, or will he rise to the challenge and win the $10,000 prize? We’ll be tuning in to find out.
Asked
Asked
Chefs, please open your baskets.
Click the button below to see if you can survive a dessert round of GVLtoday’s edition of “Chopped.”
Past is Prologue | Monday, Jan. 6-Wednesday, Jan. 29 | Times vary | Greenville Center for Creative Arts | Free entry | Arden Cone uses art to reflect on history’s lasting imprint using objects salvaged from her family’s farm.
Tuesday, Jan. 7
LolaCeli | 6-9:30 p.m. | Curean | $120+ | Filipino Chef Michael Izzard is kicking off a new residency on select nights at this downtown restaurant — now with staggered seating times.
Wednesday, Jan. 8
Curling Clinic | 6 p.m. | United Community Ice on Main | Free | Don’t sweep your Olympic aspirations under the rug — The Palmetto Curling Club is taking over Ice on Main for a free clinic.
Sunday, May 4
Tacos ‘n Tequila Fiesta | 2-5 p.m. | Events at Judson Mill | $60+ | Guac and roll at this 21+ event featuring all-you-can-eat tacos, handcrafted tequila cocktails, and live entertainment.
The project would be entirely affordable housing. | Renderings by McMillan Pazdan Smith
After waiting years for tax credits to make the project feasible, the Laurens Road Church of God site could become a 100-unit affordable housing development called “The Alliance Project.”
The City of Greenville kicks off construction today along Mohawk Drive, Gallivan Street, Cary Street, and Chick Springs Road. Improvements include new sidewalks, streetscaping, pedestrian lighting, and storm drain upgrades. You may experience lane closures and detours over the next year while work is ongoing.
Announced
Lakehurst Street from Woodland Way to the triangle area in the center of Cleveland Park will also remain closed for about 16 weeks due to construction of Brooks’ Playground. See the detours.
Development
The City of Greenville purchased six acres off Church Street, with development plans including affordable housing, open space, and pedestrian connections that will be guided by the Haynie-Sirrine Neighborhood Plan.
Open
Pretty Place Chapel is now open following months of repairs after Helene. Before you make the drive to Camp Greenville, check the visitation schedule.
Ranked
No. 10. That’s where Greenville ranked on U-Haul’s list of top growth metros for 2024. Known as the “U-Haul Growth Index,” the list is based on the destinations of 2.5+ million one-way truck, trailer, and moving container transactions last year.
Drink
Sip, sip, hooray. There’s a new Chestnut Coffeehouse + Market in town. The Five Forks location of this local cafe is now open on Scuffletown (near Pasta Project).
Coming Soon
Speaking of new cafes, Canvas Coffee + Art House opens on Stone Avenue near Moe’s Original BBQ on Saturday, Jan. 11. “Come for the coffee, stay for the art,” the new spot says.
Closed
Bonjour Main closed last month, but it’s not “au revoir.” It is looking for a new location, either downtown or outside of the central business district. White Duck Taco is taking over the Main Street storefront this spring.
Show
Buy me a boat ticket to the Swamp Rabbits game. Country singer + Grand Ole Opry member Chris Janson will perform on the ice on Saturday, Jan. 11 after the Swamp Rabbits take on the Savannah Ghost Pirates. Your game ticket gets you access to the concert.
Number
~2.37 Million. That’s how many people hit the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail in 2024. Pedestrians made up 63% of that figure and cyclists made up 37%. Based on the size of Greenville Run Club last year, we believe it.
Plan Ahead
Gather GVL is temporarily closed for maintenance this week, but it won’t be long before you can indulge in your favorite bites and sips. The West End food hall reopens Saturday, Jan. 11.
Biz
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Category
Read
📚 Top shelf reads
You can also use your library card for ebooks via Hoopla + Libby. | Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Calling all bookworms. The Greenville County Library System dropped a list of its most-checked-out books of 2024.
If you’re building your TBR (to be read) pile for 2025, consider these trending titles:
Fiction
“The Women” by Kristin Hannah
“Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt
“First Lie Wins” by Ashley Elston
“The Housemaid” by Freida McFadden
“None Of This Is True” by Lisa Jewell
Nonfiction
“The Demon of Unrest” by Erik Larson
“The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder” by David Grann
“Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear” by Jinger Vuolo
The Goddess app. Made for women, by women, this comprehensive well-being library includes meditations, yoga sessions, breathing exercises, and podcasts. Right now, Premium subscriptions are 75% off — you’ll get lifetime access, plus unlock your Archetype Personality Analysis.
Looking for ramen-tic dinner plans tomorrow, Jan. 7? Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery is kicking off Noodle Nights on Tuesdays in January with a ramen feature. Future Tuesday offerings include chicken alfredo, kale pesto pasta, and lasagna.
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