Birmingham, Ala.’s Hot and Hot Fish Club’s loss is Charleston’s gain now that former Fish Club-er Bryan Cates has been named Básico and Mixson Bath & Racquet Club’s new executive chef. An Art Institute of Charleston grad, Cates got his start working at Opal and Bacco in Mt. Pleasant and The Green Door (R.I.P) downtown before heading to the celebrated Hot and Hot Fish Club.
Regarding his return to the Holy City, Cates says in a press release, “I’m excited to be back in Charleston and its outstanding culinary scene. I look forward to building off the existing vision and culinary culture of Básico and Mixson Bath & Racquet Club by continuing to focus on fresh, local ingredients.”
Following the departure of Básico’s opening co-chefs Leila Schardt and Italo Marino, Cates is the third individual to head up the Mexican-inspired restaurant following chef Heather Powell since the restaurant opened last year. Chef Nathan Thurston (formerly of Stars) has been consulting and assisting Básico’s executive chef search since May.
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