Chef Drew Dzejak

Chef Drew Dzejak says his inspiration for becoming a chef is the “classic grandmother story.” Growing up in Kissimmee, FL, at 15 he was working as an apprentice at Karen Donatelli Cake Designs, baking weddings cakes and developing his first skills as a professional chef. He went on to attend Johnson & Wales in Charleston, SC and graduated with a degree in Culinary Arts.

Upon graduating in 2001, Dzejak worked in the kitchen at the Forbes Five Star, AAA, Five Diamond Woodlands Inn in Summerville, SC.

Two years later, Dzejak followed Woodlands Executive Chef Ken Vedrinski to Sienna restaurant on Daniel Island, SC. He was promoted to Sous Chef and spent three years in the kitchen before packing his bags for Grand Cayman to work for Chef Dean Max at Brassiere in the fall season of 2006. Dzejak then returned to Charleston and became Chef de Cuisine at the Charleston Place Hotel. In 2008, he left Charleston for New Orleans and was named Executive Chef at the Windsor Court Hotel, where he remained for four years.

After starting a family with his wife Stephanie, Dzejak wanted to return to South Carolina and joined the team at The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, serving as Executive Sous Chef and Club Executive Chef. While at Palmetto Bluff, he was introduced to Food and Beverage Director Jeremy Walton, who would later offer him the role of Executive Chef at Alys Beach, an emerging seaside town in Northwest Florida on Scenic Highway 30A. At Alys Beach, Dzejak oversaw all food operations for the growing community, including existing restaurants and new concepts.

Now at The Citizen, he has teamed up with Jeremy Walton again to bring a new restaurant concept to Alys Beach. He envisions The Citizen reaching new heights with its culinary offerings, with each dish offering a sense of place and providing residents and guests with lifelong memories.

When he’s away from the kitchen, Dzejak enjoys gardening and cooking at home with Stephanie and their two kids, Aurora and John.