Competitor Profile
The Depot Bistro
HEAD COOK: Stuart Gates
COMPETITION: World Sandwich Championship
QUALIFYING EVENT: Best Sandwich in the South
Chef Stuart Gates is the chef/owner of The Depot Coffee House and Bistro in Hattiesburg, MS. Having schooled at Johnson and Wales University in Charleston, SC, he moved back to his hometown to open up "The Depot" in October of 2010. The Depot also serves as the catering arm to The Venue, an adjoined 10,000 sq. ft. event which hosts weddings and various large events. Along with sous chef Daniel Mann, Gates qualified for the WFC with an applewood smoked meatloaf sandwich (featuring grass-fed beef from good friend and local farmer Mike Stonnington), on gruyere cheese and scallion johnny cakes, with crab-boiled pickles, and a green tomato and bacon jam.