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Get to know us (and have a bite to eat)
Soby's on the Side revolves around our people. The personalities of our staff are as rich and varied as our menu selections.
Here are just a few of the familiar faces that you'll see when you
come by and stop in our doors.
Ken Talbott - Chef de Cuisine
Chef Kenneth (Kenny) Talbott was born in Cleveland, Ohio. When he was young, his family moved to Greenville, South Carolina, and they immersed Kenny in the culture of their new Southern location, where good meals and hospitality are paramount. It was here that Kenny developed a love for great food and beverages and a passion for service that steered him toward the restaurant industry.
Kenny began his hospitality career serving tables and managing the service staff in an independent local Greenville restaurant. After a couple of years, his passion for great flavors led him to work in the kitchen of the city's Holiday Inn Hotel. He began as a line cook, and it took him less than two years to move up to the executive chef position. As word of Kenny's talent got out, he was recruited by Table 301 restaurants to serve as chef de cuisine for Soby's on the Side and Table 301 Catering, a position he has held for three years.
Kenny is active in the Greenville community, having participated in many charitable events including Share our Strength's Taste of the Nation and March of Dimes' Gourmet Chef Auction. He is also a participating chef at the annual Euphoria festival of food, wine and music.
Carl Sobocinski - Owner
Carl Sobocinski moved to South Carolina in 1986 from Durham, New Hampshire,
to pursue an architectural degree at Clemson University. Upon graduation,
with a BA in Design, Carl realized that the restaurant business, not
architecture, would best allow his creative, entrepreneurial spirit and his
kindred people skills to work together.
Sobocinski has a passion for hospitality and community service. From the
hospitality standpoint, his goal each day is to provide guests of all Court
Square Restaurant Group properties with the most exceptional experience
possible - meet all guests' needs and exceed their expectations.
In addition to running the businesses, Sobocinski is very active in the
community. Currently, he serves on the board of the Convention and Visitors
Bureau, the board of Greenville Events, the board of the South Carolina
Restaurant Association and the board of the "Monday After the Masters" Golf
Tournament. Sobocinski also serves on the Greenville Tech Hospitality
Education Advisory Committee and the Greenville Tech Entrepreneur's Forum.
In addition, he is the Vice President of Governmental Affairs of the South
Carolina Restaurant Association, the Chairman of the 2005 March of Dimes
Signature Chef's Auction and the Red Cross Fine Wine Auction. He was also
just elected to serve on the board of the National Restaurant Association.
The South Carolina Restaurant Association named Sobocinski Restaurateur of
the Year in 2000. He has also received the Distinguished Service Award from
the Greenville Jaycees in 2001. In January 2003, Sobocinski was one of five
finalists for the Greenville Magazine Nelson Mullins Business Person of the
Year.
David K. Williams - Owner
Williams was given his first restaurant job while attending High School in
Alexandria, Virginia, in the late 70's. Two friends purchased an old
building, renovated it themselves and opened a restaurant called Ramparts.
The determination of the owners to take a historically challenged location
(three restaurant failures in seven years) and make it successful inspired
the entire staff. Williams spent the next twenty years gaining experience
and education by working in restaurants, hotels, clubs and casinos and
graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.
Finally on November 8, 1997, after almost a year of renovation, Williams and
close personal friend Carl Sobocinski opened Soby's. His goal is simple:
Entertain, feed, befriend, teach and hopefully inspire our crew to make
their dreams come true.
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Soby's on the Side address is 22 East Court Street, which is just off
Main Street
in downtown Greenville. If you know where Soby's is, just venture around the
corner past the courtyard and you're there!
See our map of Downtown Greenville
for street names or visit
Mappoint
for specific driving directions.
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