Chef Andrea Griffith's path to becoming a chef began as a child alongside her father—a Philadelphia firefighter with a passion for food—as he prepared meals at the firehouse served family-style at a table of close-knit associates. She enjoys the table to Pursell Farms guests, a 3,200-acre destination resort located about 45 minutes from Birmingham.

"Sharing food and stories around the dinner table is a great tradition around the world," said Chef Andrea. "My wish is that our guests will enjoy those traditions at our tables."

Chef Andrea oversees the menus for the resort's new outlets in the 40-room inn, using ingredients sourced from artisanal suppliers and local producers of natural beef and hormone-free dairy products. Casually-elegant Arrington features signature farm-inspired menus, and Old Tom's Pub offers American favorites along with craft beers, whiskeys, and wines. She also oversees menus for corporate meetings as well as wedding receptions and special celebrations.

Chef Andrea came to Pursell Farms in 2013 following successful culinary roles at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia, Primland Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and Circa Restaurant in Philadelphia. She officially began her career as a 16-year old pastry chef at Whole Foods in her hometown of Philadelphia, then earned a full scholarship to The Art Institute of Philadelphia for Culinary Arts based on her application project titled "A Day in the Life of a Fireman Chef," drawn from her culinary experiences at the firehouse with her father.

In 1975, the Pursell family began transforming land holdings in Sylacauga into a golf showcase. Today, the 3,200-acre resort is an extraordinary destination for weekend escapes, golf getaways, weddings, and corporate retreats. The resort is placed in the Central Alabama foothills, about 45 minutes by car from Birmingham and less than three hours from Atlanta. The resort features the longest 18-hole, a 7,444-yard championship of FarmLinks Course at the FarmLinks Golf Club, and has been ranked by Golfweek's #1 all-access golf course in Alabama last 2018. It is the home to the only ORVIS® Shooting Grounds in the South. For information, please visit www.pursellfarms.com.

In 2020 after a nationwide search, Chef Rich Rosendale selected her as a finalist for the Executive Chef's position of the Residence Club in Ocean Reef Club. After days of fantastic food produced by each candidate, Chef Andrea, as now the Executive Chef for the Residence Club, oversees all aspects of day-to-day culinary operations.