Kudzu Bakery co-founder Joey Rabon shares his experience starting a Southern-style bakery with his wife, Stacy, in Georgetown, South Carolina, in 1989 on the latest episode of SHFB. The bakery now has four locations across South and North Carolina, and they sell a lot more than pastries.

Joey, who was born in Georgia and grew up in South Carolina, says the Southern foods his bakery offers would be recognizable to anyone in attendance at his grandmother's after-church social. He discusses the importance of using real butter in most recipes, as well as fresh, local ingredients.

And, of course, Joey discusses the meaning of Southern hospitality and whether that concept still exists today—from the unique perspective of a local business owner.

I had the privilege of interviewing the viral granddaughter-grandma duo known on TikTok as Emma Grace and Memama, plus Emma Grace's mom, Sabrina Burke.

The three women discuss the importance of family, Southern traditions, accents that change over time, and what initially made Emma Grace and her Memama go viral on social media.

Memama, who is 85, also shares some of her secrets to living a healthy and fulfilling life after experiencing loss.

Hear how three generations of women became best friends on the latest episode of SHFB.

We only spent a day there, so I didn't get to take in all the town has to offer, but on this episode of Southern Hospitality for Beginners, Beverly Frater of the Hancock County Historical Society and Bay St. Louis-based interior designer Shannon Stage fill me in on the town's rich history and Southern charm that appeals to visitors from all ocer the country.

Hannah delves into her fascination with classical femininity, etiquette, and traditional Southern hospitality on the latest episode of SHFB.

Visitors at the Sea View Inn feel like they’ve stepped back in time. There is no AC in the main building; guests are encouraged to open their windows to the sea breeze on warm nights. Guests are offered a glass of sweet or unsweet tea when they walk in the door. Local chefs prepare traditional Southern cooking each night, and staff ring a bell to inform guests when dinner is being served. The inn has a no-cell-phone policy and, while it does have WiFi, it only really works in one spot. But guests aren’t coming to the Sea View Inn for business or luxury; they’re coming to escape the outside world and sit in peace on the beautiful, white-sand beach where the hotel has stood since 1937.

Sassy Henry and her husband, Brian, took over ownership of the inn in 2002. On this very special episode of Southern Hospitality for Beginners, Sassy tells me about her family’s decision to drop everything and take over the inn more than two decades ago, whether Southern hospitality still exists today, and why it’s so important for the Sea View Inn to maintain its longstanding Southern roots.

Guests:

Richard Sayles of The Grafton Lodge in Lake Lure

Ryan Dietrich of Lake Lure

Crissy Barnes Blanton of Chimney Rock

Steve Antle of Fairview