Coastal Kitchen
Meet Your Chef
John "Chappy" Chapman
With over 40 years in the restaurant industry, Chef John “Chappy” Chapman is a culinary force rooted in Southern tradition, seafood mastery, and true hospitality. From his early days cooking Gulf Coast crabs during family Jubilees in Mobile Bay, to owning and operating renowned restaurants across the South, Chappy has always believed that great food is just the beginning—it’s about creating memorable dining experiences.
A Mobile, Alabama native with deep ties to New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Chappy first made waves in the culinary world with the original Chappy’s Seafood Restaurant in Long Beach, MS in 1984. That iconic spot became a local legend for 22 years until Hurricane Katrina forced its closure. Since then, he has continued to bring his signature flavors and vibrant hospitality to restaurants in Tennessee, Louisiana, and back home on the Coast.
Today, with Coastal Kitchen in Long Beach, MS, Chappy returns to his roots—bringing together everything he’s learned over a lifetime in the kitchen. Known for combining fresh Gulf seafood, tender steaks, and hand-crafted cocktails with warm Southern charm, Coastal Kitchen is more than a restaurant—it’s the next chapter in a story built on passion, resilience, and community.
Chappy has cooked for music legends like Hank Williams Jr., Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Kenny Chesney, but his favorite guests are the families, locals, and travelers who return time and again for the food and the feeling of being “at home.” He’s trained dozens of rising chefs and restaurateurs, always preaching the same recipe for success: quality ingredients, consistency, love for people, and a little spice.
Whether you’re here for the crab cakes, a juicy ribeye, or just to sip something cold while the sun sets over the Gulf, you can be sure that every plate comes with a story—and a whole lot of heart—from Chef Chappy himself.
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