Chef Josh Petty has announced plans for his new eatery, Cast Iron Kitchen, due to open in Porters Neck this spring.

Petty, who was executive chef at Sweet N’ Savory for nearly nine years, says his restaurant will fill in a gap in chef-owned restaurants that offer breakfast in the Porters Neck area.
 
Petty describes the concept as progressive Southern, meaning the menu will focus on a modern approach to a variety of classic Southern dishes.
 
“I want to get away from the notion that all Southern food is fried and fattening,” Petty said.
 
While there will be handful of fried items on the menu, Petty is eager to showcase items such a cheese “grits” prepared with pureed cauliflower instead of traditional grits, homemade turkey sausage and sweet potato pancakes.
 
Breakfast will be available all day at Cast Iron Kitchen, and dinner will be served as well. The menu will consist of several blackboard specials that will vary each day.
 
“I want the restaurant to have a country store kind of feel,” said Petty, who will source 75-85 percent of his ingredients from North Carolina. “We’ll be using grains from North Carolina mills in our biscuits and pancakes, local meats in all of our sausages and working with local farmers and fishermen.”
 
Bulk items such as homemade pimento cheese, chicken salad and sausage will be available by the pound, and Petty plans to offer carry-out boating and picnic packages once the warm weather arrives.
 
“I want people to be able to call in the day before and order a box of food they can pick up and take out on the boat or beach with them.” Petty said.
 
Located at 8024 Market St., Cast Iron Kitchen anticipates an early-April opening.
 
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