GREER, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Chef Michael Sibert balances a lot--from opening three different restaurant concepts, to appearing on Food Network, to being a South Carolina Chef Ambassador traveling the country. However, it’s his most recent venture that he’s especially proud of.
“Growing up me and my grandmother, we watched a lot of Food Network,” Sibert said. “Rachel Ray, Emeril Lagasse, like all of the old school and OGs and then ‘Chopped.’ We would always watch ‘Chopped’ a lot.”
The Upstate’s Michael Sibert always knew he wanted to be a chef, so it’s no surprise he eventually went to culinary school.
With the encouragement from his wife, White Wine & Butter was born. A happy blend of his wife’s New Orleans roots and his expertise all wrapped up into one restaurant.
“Working through 2020, how much time and effort I put into somebody else’s business, [my wife really told me] that you can do this for yourself, and she pushed me to the limits to do it for myself,” Sibert explained.
Whether it’s his shrimp toast, gumbo or fried chicken, Sibert says his menu is really a love letter.
Then in 2023, came his chance to be on TV.
“My first experience on the Food Network was ‘Guy’s Grocery Games’,” Sibert mentioned.
The chef preparing for months.
“Using my neighborhood, my brothers of chefs, my friends, my family and practicing for the show. [I would run] through Food Lion at 10:50 before they close to practice running up and down grocery aisles,” Sibert reflected. “That’s a fun experience.”
All leading up to heartbreak.
“To fall short by one point, I made it very clear that I wanted redemption.”
Using it as a learning lesson, his chance at redemption came last fall.
“Putting a whole city on your back it was a lot of pressure. It really was,” Sibert remembered. “I didn’t know if I was going to compete or not.”
The opportunity to be on ‘Chopped’, but it came just days after Hurricane Helene. Sibert competing when his own home still didn’t have power.
“I felt really awful for leaving right after the hurricane and flying out to New York to film the show, but after talking with friends and family, it was just like you have to take advantage of this opportunity.”
It was all worth it. He won.
“It feels like winning the Super Bowl,” Sibert said.
Now with the episode out, the Upstate is finally in on his secret.
“I had so many missed calls and text messages and I’m just like ‘I literally can’t respond to any of these right now’ just overwhelming amounts of support,” Sibert mentioned. “To have other chefs pat you on the back and be like, ‘bro, congratulations! Great job. You did that! You did that for us as well!‘”
The 2024 South Carolina Chef Ambassador and now ‘Chopped’ champion recognizing the full circle moment.
From watching chefs compete on ‘Chopped’ as a kid, to now being the chef on ‘Chopped’ inspiring the next generation.
“I just want to give them a face of hope,” Sibert said. “To know you can do anything and everything that you want to do. You just got to put your mind to it.”
Above the fame and recognition, it’s the legacy Sibert is most proud of. Creating something that will live forever-- for his wife, for his boys, and for the woman who inspired it all. Making sure to remember her during his ‘Chopped’ watch party.
“I wanted to leave an empty chair for my grandmother because she sat right beside me a good bit of time when we were watching the show together,” Sibert said. “To think that I made her proud to go out there, compete on national television on a show that we watched together. I’ll talk about that forever; nobody can take that away from me. Nothing else even matters.”
Sibert credits his friends, family and team for getting him to where he is today.
As for what’s next-- he’s taking this year to focus on family. His restaurant White Wine & Butter just moved to a new location in Greer and he’s getting ready to open a new Anonymous Burger in downtown Clemson.
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