Celebrated high-energy chef Brett McKee is wrapping up his knives and stowing his pots and pans.
“I don’t have anything else to prove,” said McKee, the only winner for best private chef in the three years that the category has existed in the Charleston City Paper’s annual Best of Charleston contest. “I have a deep and talented staff.”
After more than 50 years in kitchens from New York to Charleston, it’s time to slow down. He says his 67-year-old body, which has endured 38 surgeries over 20 years to deal with spine, heart, knee and other issues, is just worn out. Continuing to pick up heavy pots, turn on a dime on sometimes slippery floors or twist in the wrong way could cause paralyzing damage, he says. Two more spinal surgeries, in fact, are planned for the fall.
“I am hanging up my knives and (working) the pots and pans for 15 hours a day and turning over the culinary part to my people,” said McKee, known in recent years for tattoos and a shiny bald head…