The Food of Augusta: Inside the Masters’ Timeless Tradition

Описание: McConnell Golf presents ROAD TO AUGUSTA with Ward Clayton
Episode 5: The Food of Augusta and the Masters' Iconic Sandwiches

This episode explores Augusta's Masters-week food culture on and off the course, focusing on Augusta National's famously simple, affordable concessions and the local restaurant scene.

Host Ward Clayton interviews Chris Cunningham of Wife Saver about growing up in Augusta, the origins of Wife Saver, and how he began supplying Augusta National—first improving the bone-in chicken "sandwich," then producing chicken sandwiches for decades on a handshake with concessions head Alex Colley, and later making pimento cheese and egg salad. Cunningham explains what makes good pimento cheese (quality sharp cheese and heavy-duty mayonnaise), why the sandwich became iconic (low price and novelty), and notes complaints when the recipe changed after production moved in-house.

Clayton also interviews restaurateurs Todd Schaffer (Abel Brown) and Walter (French Market Grill and Rae's Coastal Cafe) on Masters-week operations, hospitality, Augusta dining recommendations, community support after Hurricane Helene, and concludes with a pimento-cheese brand taste test (Palmetto vs. My Three Sons) and sandwich variations.

00:00 Augusta's Iconic Concessions
01:00 Meet Chris Cunningham
03:03 Wife Saver Origins
05:29 Family Legacy and Polio
07:03 Masters Week at Wife Saver
08:37 Supplying Augusta National
10:18 Chicken Sandwich Upgrade
12:08 Pimento Cheese and Egg Salad
14:37 Secrets of Great Pimento Cheese
17:07 Why the Sandwich Is Iconic
21:31 Local Restaurants to Try
24:05 Masters Tips and Traditions
26:39 Quick Hits and Favorite Spots
31:20 McConnell Golf Message
32:49 New Panel Todd and Walter
33:31 Why They Chose Restaurants
36:36 Abel Brown Name Story
37:42 Passion and Hospitality
39:40 Masters Week Operations
43:22 Ray’s Creek Coastal Cafe Name
45:23 Bill Murray at Ray’s
46:11 Favorite Masters Food
46:29 Masters Concessions Praise
47:55 Pimento Cheese Hacks
48:24 Best Store Pimento
49:28 Upgrading The Sandwich
50:35 Celebrity Dining Stories
52:51 On Course Masters Memories
56:51 Walter Hit By Drive
59:00 Hurricane Helene Relief
01:03:43 Augusta Week Must Dos
01:06:16 Favorite Local Courses
01:07:43 Patch Project Revival
01:11:10 Where To Eat Elsewhere
01:18:09 New Ventures And Catering
01:21:48 Pimento Cheese Taste Test

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