"A native Charlestonian, Brad Ball grew up in the restaurant business with his family owning six different restaurants.  At the age of twelve, he started working in various capacities for his family’s most prominent restaurant, Poogan’s Porch.  After graduating from the College of Charleston with a philosophy degree, he became general manager of Poogan’s Porch.  In 2005, looking to expand his knowledge in the culinary field, Ball moved to New York to attend the French Culinary Institute. 

 After kitchen internships at Jean-Georges, a four-star Midtown restaurant, and Momofuku, a Japanese fusion restaurant in the East Village, Ball took a position as a sommelier at Aquavit. 

Under the supervision of Olivier Zardoni, formerly of Le Bernadin and Michael Mina, Ball had the opportunity to taste numerous back-vintage wines from exclusive producers, furthering his knowledge and fine-toning his palate. In addition, he earned his Advanced Certificate with Distinction from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust through the International Wine Center before returning to Charleston. 

After kitchen internships at Jean-Georges, a four-star Midtown restaurant, and Momofuku, a Japanese fusion restaurant in the East Village, Ball took a position as a sommelier at Aquavit.  Under the supervision of Olivier Zardoni, formerly of Le Bernadin and Michael Mina, Ball had the opportunity to taste numerous back-vintage wines from exclusive producers, furthering his knowledge and fine-toning his palate.  In addition, he earned his Advanced Certificate with Distinction from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust through the International Wine Center before returning to Charleston. 

Upon his return, Ball became managing partner of Poogan’s Porch and also became a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers.  However, Ball quickly took note of the lack of wine bars in the Charleston area.  He scouted locations and began the renovation of 188 East Bay into Social Restaurant + Wine Bar in May of 2006.  During this period he began working towards his Diploma of Wine & Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, which he completed in the fall of 2008, becoming the first person with such distinction in Charleston.  His future plans include Advanced Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and Master of Wine.

 Social opened on February 13, 2007 and has received much acclaim, including four stars from the Post & Courier and ‘Best Wine Selection’ by the City Paper.  Always one to challenge himself, Ball started an executive MBA program with a wine industry focus through the Bordeaux Ecole de Management (BEM) in January of 2008.  Ball hopes to broaden his horizons and strengthen his business acumen by growing his current businesses and engaging in additional endeavors.