R-0793

• Main Authors: Nelson, Steven, 1961-, Collier, Hannah.; Martinez, Katia.; Nelson, Abby.
• Language: unknown
• Published: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection. 2015
• Subjects: Chapel Hill; Red drum
• Online Access: http://dc.lib.unc.edu/u?/sohp,22445

Steven Nelson is the owner of the Inn on Pamlico Sound on Hatteras Island in North Carolina. Nelson worked in the insurance industry in Manhattan for fifteen years before coming to North Carolina to pursue a change in career. The Inn is also home to an extremely successful café, Café Pamlico, which Nelson owns and operates as well. The interview focuses mostly on Nelson’s relationship with food and the restaurant that he owns, and was recorded for the “Carolina Cooks, Carolina Eats” course at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to gather voices that represent North Carolina Foodways. Nelson talks about his experience coming from the North to the South and gaining respect in his community on Hatteras Island. He talks about his passion for food, and for organic and local farming. Nelson discusses the garden that he has on-site at the Inn that provides some produce for the Café, as well as the composting measures that the restaurant takes. The interview touches on several North Carolina staples, such as red drum and shrimp and grits, and the way that Nelson has incorporated those things into his restaurant despite not being a native southerner. Nelson talks about the fishing industry on Hatteras Island and its importance, as well as the importance of community. This interview in Coastal North Carolina is part the American Studies Department's Carolina Eats, Carolina Cooks (AMST/FOLK 375) spring 2015 course to showcase significant food and culture voices around North Carolina.