Chef Jamie Davis

NC Catch Chef Ambassador Jamie Davis of The Hackney restaurant in downtown Washington, N.C., tells the North Carolina seafood story via his always incredible and thoughtful menus. “I just feel like you should just have the freshest seafood here on the coast, there's no reason not to for me," Chef Davis says. 

Shrimp is the Onslow County native’s favorite seafood to work with. His signature shrimp and grits changes regularly. One version (pictured below) featur ed N.C. grits, local sausage, roasted tomatoes and hoop cheese. 

Even when Chef Davis gets fancy he keeps seafood dishes straightforward. Mushroom-stuffed N.C. flounder, for instance, might be served over simple parsnip purée with roasted chicken sauce. “I think seafood is one of those things you don't have to do a lot to. If it's good, it's good. I just like to see what I can do to respect it.”

Follow Chef Davis on Instagram at @carolinachef.