Welcoming Chef James to Sea Captain’s House
- August 31, 2026
- Chloe Ketterer
There’s a new face leading the kitchen at Sea Captain’s House, and we’re excited to introduce Chef James.
With more than two decades spent living and cooking throughout the Carolinas, James brings a love for Southern cuisine, local ingredients, and the traditions that make a great meal memorable. As he settles into his new role at Sea Captain’s House, he’s looking forward to honoring everything guests have loved about the restaurant for generations while bringing a few fresh ideas of his own to the table.
A Culinary Journey Through the Carolinas
Originally from Indiana, James has called the Carolinas home for more than 20 years. His culinary journey began in Charlotte, where he attended the culinary program at Central Piedmont Community College.
Since then, his career has taken him throughout the region, including Charleston, Wilmington, Greenville, and three years on Bald Head Island. He has worked with a variety of restaurant concepts along the way, but Southern cuisine has always been where he feels most at home.
Those years spent cooking across North and South Carolina have given him a deep appreciation for the flavors, ingredients, and traditions found throughout the region.
Inspired by Family
James’s passion for cooking started long before culinary school.
His biggest inspiration was his mom, who had seven children to feed and somehow made it look easy. Watching her cook for a large family helped spark his own love for being in the kitchen and showed him early on just how much food can bring people together.
That connection to family, comfort, and Southern-style cooking continues to influence the food he loves making today.
Taking on a Myrtle Beach Tradition
The opportunity to join Sea Captain’s House gave James another reason to make Myrtle Beach home. In addition to being closer to his girlfriend, Kelly, he was excited about taking on a restaurant with so much history behind it. Sea Captain’s House has been part of the Myrtle Beach dining scene for generations, and James knows just how much that tradition means to both locals and longtime visitors.
“I definitely want to honor the traditions that have made Sea Captain’s House so beloved while also adding a few modern dishes and sourcing more local ingredients,” James said. Leading such a busy operation is a challenge he is excited to take on, and he’s looking forward to seeing what he and the Sea Captain’s House team can accomplish together.
Guests can still expect the familiar Southern and seafood dishes that have made Sea Captain’s House a favorite over the years. At the same time, James hopes to bring in a few new dishes, work with more local ingredients, and continue building on the coastal Southern flavors that fit so naturally with the restaurant. For him, the goal is simple: respect what already works, continue improving, and give guests even more reasons to come back.
Outside the Kitchen
When he isn’t at Sea Captain’s House, James is usually enjoying the beach with Kelly. He’s also into Jeeps, dirt track racing, collecting cookbooks, and smoking meats, so food is never too far from his mind, even when he’s off the clock.
And if he had to pick one ingredient he couldn’t live without, it would be rice. As a staple in so many Southern dishes, it’s something he uses often and considers an essential part of his kitchen.
Come Meet Chef James at Sea Captain’s House
We’re excited to have Chef James leading the kitchen and can’t wait for you to see what he and the team have in store.
Come dine with us along the Myrtle Beach oceanfront and enjoy fresh seafood, Southern favorites, beautiful ocean views, handcrafted drinks, and live music throughout the week. Whether you’re joining us for a laid-back lunch, dinner by the water, or drinks while listening to live music, there’s always a good reason to pull up a chair at Sea Captain’s House.
Make plans to dine with us and help us welcome Chef James to the Sea Captain’s House family.