Chef Spotlight: Scott Kampf, Southampton Social Club
Scott Kampf is the head chef at the Southampton Social Club, at 256 Elm Street in Southampton. He has been there for one year, but Kampf has been cooking up a storm for the last 28 years. “I started to cook to meet girls. I ended up doing certain dishes very well and it worked. And I haven’t stopped. I was also influenced by my family.” Kampf also gets inspiration from chef Chris Bower, who is both a friend and mentor. Bower is the head chef at the National Golf Links of America, which is located in also Southampton. Kampf grew up in Manhattan and moved out to Long Island after high school. Locally he has worked at The Publick House, Dockers and others.
Kampf is an award-winning chef who has been featured on the television show “The Iron Chef.” He was the sous chef on the challenger’s team. According to Kampf it was a great experience and that he got to meet Bobby Flay, Marc Ecko and Gael Greene. “The experience was amazing! You have the best of the best and everyone wants to be that much better. Even the ones known as the greatest, we all want to get better and better. There is always room for learning and improvement.”
At the Social Club, Kampf’s top three selling dishes are the crab cakes, filet mignon and the striped bass. Says Kampf, “My personal favorite would have to be the Striped Bass Provençale.” Kampf’s style could be described as French/American. “Even when making things such as Asian dishes I go about it with a French style to it,” he says.
Kampf does a lot of volunteer work, including working with the Breast Cancer Center in Southampton and the Needlers Foundation. This organization helps children battling cancer who have facial deformities. He loves to help out whenever possible and notes that, “we don’t like to throw anything away, we either donate it to the church or the staff takes some stuff home, we make sure nothing is wasted.” He also works with food pantries and the churches in the community.
Kampf is a die-hard Giants fan and actually does the tailgating for the New York Giants. “My Father has held season tickets for the past 50 years, we absolutely love it. The team is incredibly friendly and Carl Banks is a great friend of mine.”
Kampf got his start at the Social Club because the owner, Ian Duke, is a friend of the voice of Giants Radio, Anita Marks. “It’s a real dream come true being able to cook for a team you grew up watching and following.” Kampf has also been on MSG’s “Giants Opening Drive.”
The Social Club offers a variety of delicious dishes that are sure to leave you planning what you’ll get next time you stop in. They host private parties, which are designed specifically for corporate and private events. They also have a Price Fixe Menu, which includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert for only $25. The entrees include pan-seared striped bass Provençale, braised short ribs, grilled free-range chicken breast and charred vegetable napoleon.
You can either sit at the bar, outside near an open fire or have a romantic candlelight dinner near the fireplace, keeping warm while you have your favorite drink with friends, family or your significant other.
Kampf noted, “I want people to know that we aren’t just open in the summer. In the summer it’s almost impossible to get a seat, we are incredibly busy. We’re open all year long, so you can enjoy a nice meal any time of the year. We have simple food, clean flavors and sustainable items. We only offer the best.”
Southampton Social Club, 256 Elm Street, Southampton, 631-287-1400, www.southamptonsocialclub.com.