Executive Chef Kyle Swarzendruber brings a wealth of expertise and inspiration to Soby’s New South Cuisine by drawing upon his passion for raw, simple ingredients and crafting them into delicious, beautiful dishes that bring joy to guests. His ability to create fresh flavors and interesting interpretations of southern dishes ultimately makes Soby’s one of the most popular restaurant destinations in the Upstate of South Carolina.
Raised on the Gulf coast of Florida, Kyle’s career aspirations in the hospitality industry began after high school when his parents relocated to Wisconsin and opened a supper club (which is still owned and operated by his parents to this day.) Starting off as a server, he soon gravitated to the kitchen and worked his way up to lead cook. He left to continue his education at Nicolet Culinary College earning a culinary arts degree while also working at a local country club where he gained experience managing all aspects of the kitchen.
After a few years, Kyle moved back to Florida seeking more opportunities in the restaurant industry, and landed at Michaels on East, a AAA four-diamond restaurant in Sarasota, where he honed his skills collaborating with talented chefs who helped him build his food knowledge. But his desire to find a place that offered a blend of both country life, and a booming culinary scene eventually led him to Greenville County where he bought a plot of land and built a hobby farm in Travelers Rest. In 2021, Kyle found his way to Table 301 where he started as a sous chef and then named executive chef of Soby’s in 2022.
At Soby’s, Kyle monitors the daily operations of the restaurant, including overseeing the kitchen, ordering food, hiring, mentoring, and teaching staff. “My father was my biggest influence in my decision to join this business,” says Kyle. “He is the one who taught me that a hard-working attitude and dedication is what it takes to succeed in this industry.”
In his free time, Kyle likes to tend to his yard – whether it’s mowing or landscaping. A large front porch on his home provides the perfect place to relax with his wife and children. An avid sports fan, Kyle enjoys watching football, basketball and plays a round of golf when possible.