Apr 5

Apr 5 John Wilson at Sophie's Cork and Ale wins again

Chef John Wilson of Sophie Cork and Ale brought home another mouthwatering title for best Fine Dining Restaurant during Eat. Drink. Restaurant Week 2022! “It feels pretty awesome people were always asking me why Lexington,” Wilson said. “Winning triad competitions twice now, I think this is an example of how small-town restaurants are doing. Hard work and dedication can do positive things.”

March Madness had a new flavor as the Triad Food and Beverage Coalition hosted Restaurant Week in the NC Triad March 20 through April 3. The competition featured culinary destinations as they offered discounted meal options during this two-week period. This included four different categories for businesses to participate, including fine dining, casual dining, fast-casual and food trucks.

The showdown between Wilson and three commensurate establishments listed in the “fine dining” category brought a host of attention thanks to the Triad Food and Beverage Coalition. Wilson brought a lot to the table as the defending champion of Eat. Drink. Burger. Week.

Wilson’s signature dish for the two weeks of competition included a well-researched Ukrainian- inspired surf and turf. This included a hanger steak, fried oysters with adjika sauce, roasted Brussels sprouts and potato pancakes. Wilson credits the adjika sauce for the acclaim along with the fact that Facebook added a donation option for Ukraine under his original post.

“I wanted to do something to acknowledge the current events,” Wilson explained. “I did a lot of research and I found this traditional dish. I wanted to do something.”

This comes on the heels of Chef Wilson taking home the top title of the Triad’s Eat. Drink. Burger. Week! Wilson says he’s still reaping the rewards from last summer when he was declared the official winner with his “must eat with a fork” shrimp-and-grits burger.

The winner of Eat. Drink. is 31 years old and has lived in Lexington since he was nine. He started out washing dishes at a local country club in high school when he was 16. He was always intrigued by what was going on in the restaurant while he was scrubbing the dishes. Eventually, a cook left and he asked if he could step up and learn that role. He instantly made friendships in that country club that would eventually help him get to where he is today as a restaurant owner.

He cooked at various country clubs, was promoted to sous chef, eventually landed another sous chef job in Greensboro at the Iron Hen Cafe, then he made his way to Willow's Bistro where his education flourished under Chef Travis Myers (2018 NC Chef of the Year).

Chef John lives in a small town that is trying to be more progressive these days and bring a spark back to the town. He learned of a wine bar opening in Lexington and surmised they would be serving food. He got his first head chef job and after three years was offered an opportunity to buy it from the original owners. Chef John has been the owner since April 2019.

A graduate of Guilford Technical Community College with his associate degree in culinary arts, Wilson won best chef under 30 in 2018 in the Piedmont Triad (NC).

The week-long burger specials at restaurants came to a close and Davidson County earned the most bragging rights.

Wilson admitted, “We had fun with it. We were just happy to see the food scene in Lexington getting attention. It makes all of us look good.” Participating restaurants across the Triad prepared unique burgers, off the menu, for one week only.

Wilson said the second title is confirmation he made the right decision by returning to his hometown of Lexington. “I feel like being in Lexington is going to mean something different. It’s going to change in a little bit.”

Meanwhile, the chef says it’s humbling to work on the local scene. You can see him deliver a plate once in a while when the wait staff is busy. “I want to cook for my hometown; I want to know everybody.”