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Meet Our Culinary Team

Executive Chef Stephen Ollard

Chef Stephen Ollard joined the Blockade Runner Team in April of 2023. He brings a unique and elevated perspective to organic and locally sourced food. With a flair for seafood and exquisitely executed dishes he plans to raise EAST Oceanfront Dining to a new level of resort dining.

Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee Chef Stephen Ollard’s culinary roots can be traced back to Johnson & Wales University in Charleston where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He then returned to Tennessee through an apprenticeship at the Four-Star Le Conte Club.

It was there that Ollard learned to respect the inherent culinary value of local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. He’s a creative and enthusiastic Chef with a deep passion for food. Since Le Conte Club he has owned or overseen several high-end establishments throughout Tennessee and the Carolinas ranging from Classical French to Modern Southern. During this time creating his own style of cuisine using only local and sustainable products whenever possible.

Chef Ollard is a proud member of Chefs Collaborative, American Culinary Federation, United States Personal Chefs Association and Green Chefs/Blue Oceans. He has also been mentioned or published in several publications such as USA Today, Eat This Charleston, The Local Palate, The Daily Meal, Eat Sleep Play, How Good Can Healthy Be, Low Country Live and Elegant Island Living.

Pastry Chef Heather Crosby

Heather Crosby received her Professional Pastry Certification from the New England Culinary Institute in 2012. Her love for cooking began at a young age, watching her mother run a cake decorating business out of their home. She always loved being in the kitchen and knew that is the direction she wanted her career to go.

Heather moved from New Hampshire to Wilmington in 2015 and rejoined the EAST Oceanfront Dining Culinary Team as our Head Pastry Chef in 2022. Heather claims the most enjoyable part about working at EAST is being able to experiment in the kitchen and learn more about savory dishes, not just the sweets she love. Heather's favorite EAST dish is her vegan chocolate tart and boasts it is the best thing on our dessert menu.