Sweet Grown Alabama Blogs

Here at Sweet Grown Alabama, we’re excited to welcome our inaugural group of "Seafood Ambassadors." This class of ambassadors will help us spotlight Alabama’s seafood industry on their respective social media pages. Get to know Chace Yamagata, who highlights the flavor and versatility of fresh, local seafood while sharing his own creative take on Gulf Coast favorites.

1) Who is Chace Yamagata? (Where are you located/what are your ties to Alabama/what’s your passion/etc.)

I’m a realtor based on the Eastern Shore in South Alabama, serving Baldwin and Mobile counties. I’m originally from Hawaii where I grew up on a Kona coffee farm and my Hawaiian ancestors were among the last inhabitants of Kiʻilae, one of the most historic fishing villages in Hawaii, now part of a national park. That background gave me a deep appreciation for farming and seafood. I’ve built my brand as “The Foodie Realtor,” connecting real estate with what really makes a place feel like home—the people, the food and the community around it.

2) How did you begin your social media/influencer journey?

It started pretty organically. I created a Facebook group, South Alabama Foodies, to share food I enjoyed and support local restaurants. That’s grown into a large community of food lovers. From there, I started making videos, highlighting local spots and telling their stories. It has also grown beyond social media—we now host events like anniversary parties and our annual community bake-off in August. It was never about being an “influencer”, but always about sharing what I genuinely enjoy, helping people discover great local businesses and bringing the community together.

3) What is your all-time favorite meal?

If I had to pick one, it’s nigiri or poke. These are both close to my heart as a Japanese-Hawaiian American. They’re not elaborate or flashy, but they take real technique and are driven by high-quality fish. They let the seafood speak for itself, which is something I have a lot of respect for. For me, it’s more than just food—it’s a connection to culture, tradition and a deep respect for the seafood itself.

4) What drives you to promote your community and local products?

I’ve seen firsthand how much heart goes into these businesses. These are real people, families and livelihoods. Supporting local isn’t just a trend… it’s what keeps a community strong. If I can help bring attention to someone’s hard work or help them get a few more customers through the door, that means a lot to me.

5) Where are your favorite spots in Alabama?

Honestly, my favorite spots are around the dinner table with my wife, family, and friends. Breaking bread and sharing stories—that’s what it’s all about. At the end of the day, it’s always more about the people than the place. It doesn’t really matter where that table is on any given night, whether it’s at one of the many great local restaurants or at home. Now, if that table just happens to overlook the Gulf or the bay at sunset, even better.

6) If you had to pick one: local shrimp, local oysters, or local cobia?

That’s a tough one. They’re all great in their own way. Shrimp and oysters definitely get the most attention, and rightfully so—we have great local shrimp and oysters. Cobia, on the other hand, is something people probably don’t talk about enough. It’s an incredible fish and pretty underrated. That said, I really don’t think I could pick just one. They each bring something different to the table, and that’s what makes our seafood here so special.

Make sure to follow Chace on Facebook as he interviews the hardworking people behind your local seafood!