This year’s campaign tagline was Experience Our Story. It’s all about people. They’re who we are and at the center of everything we do. Their stories influence our story. Their stories are our story. This year’s campaign told the stories of a diverse group of food and beverage talent that individually and collectively have shaped + influenced the story of Charleston’s culinary + hospitality community. Each one of these individuals featured in our campaign represents the ideas + values of Charleston Wine + Food.
Their stories – where they came from, how cooking makes them feel + what food means to them, and how they would want their stories told to the world – were interpreted through doodles + illustrations that embellished their portraits.
Rodney Scott
James Beard Award winner Rodney Scott is one of the most recognized names to come out of the Holy City, with his whole hog barbecue becoming synonymous with Charleston’s food scene. Rodney’s story is one rooted in the South as he learned to love the art of smoking meat in his hometown of Hemingway before bringing his talents to Charleston.
Carrie Morey
Charleston’s resident biscuit queen Carrie Morey was no stranger to the culinary world after growing up watching her mother run a successful catering company. Tapping into her family’s traditions + recipes, Carrie opened Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit to share her love for cooking with the world and give them a little taste of true southern cuisine.
Caroline Woodruff
Caroline Woodruff has made her mark on both the Holy City and Charleston Wine + Food, taking home the title of Iron Mixologist during the 2018 festival. For Caroline, being behind the bar gives her a chance to make meaningful connections with her customers and pour out a little fun to brighten up anyone’s day.
Morgan Calcote
Morgan Calcote is a freshly-minted James Beard Award winner after building the carefully curated wine program at Charleston favorite, FIG. Behind each glass of wine is the story of a grape and its journey from vine to bottle, and Morgan’s passion for telling those stories resonates in each perfectly paired glass served in the quaint dining room she helms.
Cynthia Wong
Cynthia Wong quickly established herself as one of the best pastry chefs in Charleston. In 2018, Cynthia decided to follow her passions and open up her own ice cream company. Life Raft Treats has become a local favorite for those looking to save their day with a unique, hand-crafted sweet treat.
Ruchi Mistry
Along with her husband Tom, Ruchi Mistry opened Huriyali Gardens in Charleston’s North Central neighborhood to prove food can be used to nourish both the body + the mind. Priding herself on her commitment to sound ecological practices, Ruchi continues to celebrate the vibrance of flavorful food sourced from the earth, satisfying both our stomachs + our souls.
Shuai + Corrie Wang
Shuai + Corrie Wang are some of the leaders of the emerging renaissance in southern cuisine. Fusing together traditional Chinese recipes with their love for the ingredients found in Charleston’s vibrant landscape, this dynamic duo is changing the way people think about Asian cuisine and leaving their mark on the Holy City’s culinary community.