Meet Archie Prince, Executive Chef and part owner of the recently renovated, marina front Coastal Kitchen. Archie’s reputation as one of the leading chefs on St. Simons is quickly growing and the success of the restaurant is a direct reflection of his unsurpassed work ethic. Stealing time to meet with Archie for Faces Of St. Simons was no easy task. To his credit, though, Archie makes a point to come out of the kitchen on a regular basis to greet his customers and ensure that all are satisfied and well pleased with their dining experience at Coastal Kitchen. In between meal times he was gracious enough to sit down and answer a few of my questions with the sort of honesty and detail that created one of my favorite interviews to date.
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
A: “When I was 12 years old I started washing dishes at CJ’s and I worked there all through high school. After that I moved to Charleston for a while. When I returned I began working at JMacs. I just realized that I loved being in the kitchen.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant on St. Simons and what do you love there?
A: “Ha! Coastal Kitchen, the pork or the filet.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked on St. Simons?
A: “On and off for 25 years.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here on St. Simons and whom would you like to see interviewed for Faces Of St. Simons?
A: “The most interesting person would have to be my high school buddy and the founder of the ‘Bastard Suns’ band, Clayton Hiers. But I’d like to see Dave Snyder interviewed. He’s been a very successful restaurateur and he’s a great example that hard work pays off.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now where would it be and why?
A: “Montana, Wyoming….out west in the middle of nowhere. I want to see what Old America was like. Where it’s still wild.”
Q: What is your favorite movie or the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?
A: “The first movie I remember seeing is ET. My favorite is Rocky 4. I love movies about war and history.”
Q: What advice would you give to people?
A: “Work hard. Follow the Golden Rule. And always give a 2 week notice.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “To see all three of my favorite hockey teams in one season, the National Predators, New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins.”
Q: What is your favorite music or what 3 bands would you like to see dead or alive?
A: “Rock and Punk…Rolling Stones, Guns n Roses, Ozzy, maybe?”
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about St. Simons?
A: “CJ’s”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? Where would you take them?
A: “Payton Manning because I’m a die-hard Tennessee Vols fan. HE would take ME to Sea Island.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about St. Simons?
A: “Even though I’m not from here, it feels like home.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: “Owning a lot more restaurants.”
Q: Even for friends and family, what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “If I hadn’t been a chef I would’ve been a history major with an emphasis on the study of World Wars I & II. I was born on D-Day, June 6th.”
Q: What three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: “My dogs, my scotch, and the beach.”
