The Galveston County Daily News

Bill Beveridge, retiree, antique dealer, good-natured handyman and former oil rig inspector, put on a different hat following Hurricane Ike — he became head chef of Sealy Street.

With a gas grill and 12 coolers of salvaged food, Beveridge started cooking. At first, it was just a handful of neighbors who gathered around the folding table set up outside a Victorian-style home.

Then, as survivors emerged from their homes, more came, seeking not only food but also fellowship.

“They didn’t have utilities; they were trying to get their houses cleaned up and aired out,” Beveridge said. “It kind of gave them a break in the day, and they didn’t have to worry about cooking.”

Beveridge cooked at least two meals a day, often for as many as 20. Everyone contributed what he could, including spare propane tanks. A friend drove in a truckload of bulk items from Costco; another friend brought a truckload of ice.

Neighbors who knew each other only well enough to wave now ate meals together, talking about the struggles of recovery, dining by lantern light. The gatherings around the grill lasted some four weeks.

For his work in setting a compassionate table in the midst of stressful times, Beveridge has been selected as a 2009 Unsung Hero.

Beveridge, who now lives in a rented guesthouse on Sealy, joins others selected by The Galveston County Daily News from across the county who were recently honored with a plaque at a reception.

“He made island living much easier for his neighbors and others who were fortunate to partake of his excellent cooking and wonderful hospitality,” wrote Pat Hollerman in the nominating letter.

“Bill continued these cookouts for several weeks until power was generally restored in the East End.”

Beveridge certainly never planned on earning the nickname, “Head Chef.”

When Hurricane Ike approached, he was battening down the hatches at the eight homes he manages on the island.

“When storms come, I close the shutters, board them up and get them ready,” he said. “I pretty much just did the normal things.”

Beveridge also cleaned out the refrigerators in the homes, in case power outages caused food to spoil.

Then, as water levels grew higher near his own rented home, he took his dog, cat, 12 coolers of food and a gas grill and evacuated to a friend’s house on Sealy Street.

With the permission of his homeowner clients, Beveridge began to grill the rescued food.

Families brought their own plates, silver and wine glasses to the table, and whatever food they could share.

“I never really had much time to think about (what happened in) the storm or anything like that,” he said.

“You just had to do what you had to do.”

Friendships formed around the table have endured, Beveridge said.

The neighbors now gather for birthday celebrations and other events.

They want to maintain the fellowship, and the other tradition Beveridge started —“I still have to cook,” he said.