Young Grand Strand chef gets ‘best experience,’ cooks for Rob Gronkowski’s family

GARDEN CITY, S.C. (WBTW) — An up-and-coming chef on the Grand Strand had the opportunity of a lifetime last week to cook for former NFL player and four-time super bowl champion Rob Gronkowski and his family.

The Gronkowski family was in Garden City filming an episode of their show “Ice Shaker Beach Games.” During their stay, the family hired Michael Roemhildt to cook for the family.

“All I have to say is definitely the greatest pleasure and honor and the best experience,” Roemhildt said. “I just wouldn’t trade it for anything else.”

While studying at Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s International Culinary Institute, Roemhildt started his business “Michael’s Kitchen LLC” in 2022.

The 21-year-old said he always had a passion for cooking, and said he never thought he would one day cook for a celebrity.

“It’s just [one of] the most wonderful things that ever happened,” Roemhildt said. “I would have never thought at this age I would be able to cook for a celebrity. So, it’s definitely just a great experience I’ll never forget.”

Roemhildt said when he received the call, he was both in disbelief and honored to have been chosen. He was told he would be cooking for a high profile family, and after the contract was sent, he asked who it was. He couldn’t believe it was the Gronkowskis.

“What his dad told me was that they were looking for chefs around the area,” Roemhildt said. “So they were like, ‘Oh, look at this young chef. We’re going to give him a shot.'”

He spent three days with the family of 17 and cooked three diners, a breakfast and lunch.

Roemhildt said the opportunity has been great for business, and he has been getting an overwhelming amount of calls, emails and texts. But Roemhildt wasn’t the only one who got the opportunity to meet the Gronkowskis.

Georgetown County deputies provided off-duty security as the family filmed an episode for their show.

Roemhildt said he wasn’t expecting Rob Gronkowski to talk to him, but when he did, he said he soaked up every second.

“He was a very genuine person,” Roemhildt said. “When I was asking him to send him my business cards, the thing he said to me was, ‘Yeah, man! You are a great kid, hardworking, and great food.’”

Roemhildt said the experience changed his life and he was proud to showcase what he loved to do.

He also said he’s thankful for this opportunity and that he hopes his business continues to grow and that one day he will be able to expand across the country.

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Gracie is a multimedia journalist at News 13 and is from Cleveland, Ohio. Gracie joined the team in June 2023 after graduating from the University of Alabama in May. Follow Gracie on Facebook , Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, & read more of her work here .

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