Southern Gal in the Valley brings ‘Louisiana flava’ to the CSRA

WARRENVILLE, S.C. (WJBF) – Dietra Bynum , also known as Chef Dee , was looking for a change, and because of that, she left Baton Rouge, and her journey with Southern Gal in the Valley began.

Chef Dee sits down with WJBF and talks about how she is bringing that Louisiana “flava” to the CSRA.

Thank you for joining us here on Celebrating Black Excellence. So, let’s get started. How did you get started in the culinary business?

You know, watching my grandparents and my mom cook, I’ve always just stood around the stove, watch them, and then, I just developed my own. People would always come and say, “You need to come, girl. You need to do something. So, I finally just started my journey. I didn’t start my journey until I moved from Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Marietta, Georgia.

What brought you here to Georgia?

Just wanted a change. Just wanted a change, and Georgia was the change.

So what brought you to South Carolina?

I’m the Minister of Music at the church right across the street, and so I’ve been playing to that church – July made 17 years. This was my pastor’s building, and he [Bishop Pierce] allowed me to use it and remodel.

So the name of your business is Southern Gal in the Valley. What inspired the name?

I’m a Southerner, and I’m a gal. My spouse is a Southerner; she’s a gal. A guy who is my play brother at church, he said, “Wow, Southern gal in the valley,” because they call this area the valley. And I was like, “Okay, okay. That’s got a good little sound to it.” So that’s how I came up with that.

Now, what type of foods do you prepare here at Southern Gal in the Valley?

Shrimp and grits. Hands down. One of the best shrimp and grits you ever had. I do French toast. You won’t find that around anywhere. Not like this. Chicken and waffles. We have wings. It’s a number of things that we do here, and it’s phenomenal.

How has the community received your business?

They’ve received it very well. When people come here now, this place kind of reminds you of Cheers , where everybody knows your name. So, it’s a lot of love. When you come in here, you feel it in the atmosphere.

You mentioned some of the items that you have. What is the most popular this year?

Oh, man, the shrimp and grits is most popular, and my wings with my French toast – that is some of the most popular.

Now, what’s your favorite meal?

My goodness. I love the wings. The wings are just amazing.

Do you have different flavor wings, and if so, what are the different flavors?

We have one that’s called “Come Back Crack,” and it’s a seasoning made in-house, and it makes you come back. We do, of course, the lemon pepper. We do one that’s called ABC. We name that ABC because it’s honey garlic, lemon pepper, parmesan so instead of saying that we just say ABC. We have one called the Works, which is ABC with a little medium hot ranch on it.

What piece of advice would you give someone who wants to start a restaurant or get into the culinary arts?

You should be ready and be ready to do it. You know, it’s not a thing where you’re going to come in and make a whole lot of money at first, but you got to stay the course. You got to be built for it. If you’re not built for it, no need to start.

Now, if people want to know more information about you or your business, or they want to find Southern Gal in the Valley, how can they get information?

They can look us up on Google: Southern Gal in the Valley. You can find us on Facebook at Southern Gal in the Valley, and you can email us at southerngalinthevalley@gmail.com or call (803) 594-5029.

Southern Gal in the Valley is located at 18 Burnettown Loop in Warrenville, South Carolina.

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