In this episode of Afield, Christiana sits down with renowned Alabama chef and James Beard semifinalist Rob McDaniel to explore the intersections of food, faith, and conservation. After his first Birmingham restaurant, Helen, has been a hit, Chef Rob is now diving deep into sustainable seafood with the launch of Bayonet—his new oyster-forward restaurant in Birmingham.
As always, this episode isn’t just about food—it’s a heartfelt conversation about connecting to the land, preserving ecosystems, and how his spirituality and Southern upbringing influence every dish.
Christiana even shares a fun throwback picture of Chef Rob during a live-fire cooking event!
Watch the full interview on YouTube or listen on Apple, Spotify, or iHeart.
About Chef Rob McDaniel: Rob is a six-time James Beard semifinalist and Executive Chef of Helen and Bayonet in Birmingham, AL. A graduate of Auburn University and the New England Culinary Institute, he blends Southern heritage, open-fire cooking, and a conservation-minded ethos into every dish.
Learn more / make a reservation: 
/ bayonetbham / helenbham
Follow Chef Rob: / robmcdaniel1
Follow Christiana: / christiana.roussel
Commercials:
Quail Forever: https://quailforever.org/
Alabama Wildlife Federation: https://www.alabamawildlife.org/
