Mickey Bakst
Charleston Grill
Maître D, foodie, fundraiser, philanthropist, career restaurateur, mentor and Charleston ambassador – these are just a few titles bestowed upon Mickey Bakst. As General Manager of Charleston Grill since 2004, he has been responsible for Charleston Grill becoming one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the city and earning him the title of Charleston’s Unofficial Mayor.
Mickey’s passions though extend far beyond the dining room. In 2009 he founded Charleston Chefs Feed the Need as an answer to the stress put on area soup kitchens as a result of the economic meltdown. To date Feed the Need has served over 500,000 meals in three cities and donated nearly $2 million to those in need.,
In 2014 Mickey created Teach the Need an organization committed to training at risk teenagers in the skills needed to work in the front of the house in Charleston restaurants. Today hundreds of students have gone through the course and many of them currently work in the industry.
Mickey’s life legacy though will be Ben’s Friends an organization co- created with restaurateur Steve Palmer of the Indigo Road Group.
With 36 years of sobriety under his belt Mickey believes that there are countless members of the restaurant industry in need of help combating the effects of Alcohol and drugs. Ben’s Friends brings together F&B professionals seeking sobriety and provides them a bridge to a sober life.
You can reach Mickey at mickey.bakst@belmond.com