FRI 9/25 | Southbound Story & Conversation Hour: Kelsey Barnard Clark
When: Friday, September 25 | 5-6 PM
Where: Ovenbird Garden
Because the best thing served at a food festival isn't always on the plate. Sometimes it's the story behind it.
Between Southbound's two festival weekends, we present Southbound Story & Conversation Hour—five evenings of cocktails, conversation, and unforgettable stories from some of the South's most compelling food voices.
Join us Monday – Friday at the Ovenbird Garden for one remarkable storyteller each evening. They'll share a story, then open the conversation. No panels. No PowerPoints. Just a drink, a great story, and a chance to hear—and talk with—people who have something wonderful to say.
5:00 p.m. Cocktails + gathering
5:15 p.m. Story + Conversation
6:00 p.m. Goodbyes
Five evenings. Five stories. Five conversations. One more reason to linger in Birmingham between Southbound's big festival weekends.
Come for the food. Stay for the stories.
Tickets: $25
About Kelsey:
Kelsey Barnard Clark is a born and raised Gulf Southerner from Dothan, Alabama. She has developed an impressive resume as the fifth woman and first southerner to win the title of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” the sole fan favorite following her season 16 win, and a 2024 James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef: South. She frequently appears on hit Food Network shows including “Tournament of Champions,” “Chopped,” “Bobby’s Triple Threat,” “Guy’s Grocery Games” and more.
Kelsey got her start in the food industry working for a high-end caterer and catered her first solo wedding at age 15. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, she worked savory & pastry in several Michelin-star restaurants in New York City, including Café Boulud under Gavin Kaysen, and Dovetail under John Fraser. Her signature southern-French cuisine is inspired by family recipes and classic French techniques. In 2012 Kelsey moved back home to open her catering company, Kelsey Barnard Catering. Today, she runs her catering company and restaurant, KBC, in historic downtown Dothan while also teaching virtual classes, taking her chef talents on the road, and appearing and cooking at events as often as possible. Kelsey has published three cookbooks, “Southern Grit”, “Southern Get-Togethers: A guide to Hosting Unforgettable Gatherings” and her newest release “The Flavor of Fire”. Kelsey loves to play host, no matter what the occasion!
In addition to being known for her skills in the kitchen, Kelsey is also an avid gardener, is passionate about all things interior design, and is a devoted wife, and mom to two young children - Monroe and Evelyn June - and their two dogs, 15 chickens and 1 cat. When not running her namesake restaurant, she can be found tending to her backyard garden and chicken coup; arranging flowers for her home and restaurant; crabbing and boating from their beach bungalow; cooking at home with her kids and husband; or laying out a spread for friends and family in her restored 1940’s Dothan home.
Kelsey shares her passion for cooking, teaching, and hospitality on her instagram @kelseybarnardclark (95K followers).
