Chef Craig Deihl to Join Kindred Team

Joe and Katy Kindred, the affable husband-and-wife duo behind Kindred restaurant in Davidson, today announced that renowned Chef Craig Deihl will join their team. Deihl, formerly the Executive Chef of Cypress and Artisan Meat Share in Charleston, South Carolina, comes on board as the chef-de-cuisine of the Kindreds’ second concept, Hello, Sailor.

Deihl, a two-time finalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef Southeast, is considered a major contributor to what has become a vibrant culinary scene in Charleston. After graduating from Johnson & Wales University, he teamed up with Chef Donald Brickman to open Cypress, eventually authoring a cookbook sharing the same name.

During that time, Deihl also became widely known for his charcuterie, eventually teaming up with Chef Bob Cook to open a small butcher shop on Spring Street that sold cured meats and crafted sturdy gourmet sandwiches to enjoy in-house. Both restaurants closed their doors earlier this year.

Deihl’s relationship with Chef Kindred precedes today's news by a number of years. The two struck up a friendship while Kindred was Executive Chef at Rooster’s in SouthPark, finding common ground in their love for charcuterie. Since then, they have paired up for special events, including a "Beachfront Tiki Roast" held in 2015 that in retrospect could have been a foreshadowing of things to come.

While long known for his cured-meat craftsmanship, co-owner Katy Kindred says Deihl has a lot more to offer as a chef. “He obviously is very passionate about and made a name for himself with his crazy talents in charcuterie, but I think he’s a  lot more versatile than people realize.” Katy hopes their new concept will give him room to show what else he can do.

The Kindreds’ enthusiasm for Deihl joining the team extends beyond his skills to other things they value. “We have really good chemistry with him and he’s just a really good dude, which is really important to us,” says Katy. Deihl and his young family will move to Davidson, where the Kindreds also live with their children. The Kindreds have been recognized for their efforts to make the restaurant environment friendlier to families.

“We’re in the same stage of life," says Katy. "I think that kind of understanding and family focus was very appealing to him.”

Hello, Sailor will be located on Lake Norman in the same location once occupied by Jack’s, a fish camp that Chef Kindred frequented while growing up. Katy Kindred, once again at the design helm (as she was with Kindred), is drawing inspiration not only from the Southern fish camp tradition but also from mid-century Palm Springs—all the while giving the entire concept a modern feel.

In addition to the veteran leadership brought by Deihl, the restaurant also gets a strong boost from Katy's longtime friend and colleague Tammy Winchester, who will serve as General Manager. The restaurant will offer seafood dishes in a laid back atmosphere, complete with dockside dining and an outdoor tiki bar. It is slated to open December of this year.