Together, let’s celebrate, inspire, and create lasting change
Charleston, SC (January 2025) – Today, Charleston Wine + Food announced the 2025 Community Impact Awards Powered By REV Federal Credit Union’s #UpTheGood Foundation recipients as Gena Berry (Culinary Works), Amethyst Ganaway (Chef Amethyst Ganaway), Pearce Fleming (Commonhouse Aleworks), Molly Gordon (Wando High School Culinary Arts) and Ben’s Friends. These individuals and organization will be celebrated at the annual luncheon, Tuesday, January 28, 2025, from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM at The Cedar Room (701 E Bay St, Charleston, SC), which aims to raise funds beyond the festival to provide mentorship, resources, and opportunities that help shape the future of the Lowcountry region. Through education and mentorship programs within local school districts and post-secondary institutions, CHSWF is building a resilient and inspired community of culinary and hospitality professionals who are prepared to lead with innovation and compassion.
Annually, Charleston Wine + Food bestows a Community Impact Award upon a select few, who, nominated by their peers, display unwavering dedication to and leadership of the people, artistry, generosity and perseverance that define our community and industry. The Community Impact Awards reflect this sentiment by honoring individuals who not only excel in their fields but also uplift others, creating lasting impacts on the community while inspiring future generations.
Supporting the Culinary Future
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Culinary + Hospitality Investment Fund, which supports initiatives like the Charleston Wine + Food High School Scholars Program. This work-based learning program provides hands-on training, mentorship, and paid externships for high school students, equipping them with job-ready skills and opportunities to earn industry certifications like ProStart.
In just three years, the program has expanded to serve two school districts, nine high schools, and over 1,000 students. The demand for its externship component has grown by 500%, underscoring its critical role in preparing the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals. These externships offer real world industry experience under the guidance of some of the country’s best culinary talent, helping students build networks and shape their futures.
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About the 2025 Award Recipients
• Gena Berry (Culinary Works) Gena Berry loves her work, often saying, “Everybody needs a me!” With a multifaceted career as a food stylist, chef support for celebrity tours, and cookbook contributor, she also dedicates herself to mentoring culinary students nationwide. As Culinary Director for Charleston Wine + Food, Gena leads the Culinary High School Scholars program, giving students real-world experience and a passion for the industry. Her involvement extends to programs like Taste of Derby and Taste of the NFL, where she has helped students apprentice with top chefs and raised over $1 million for hunger relief. Gena’s commitment to food education and philanthropy has earned her numerous accolades, including the Wholesome Wave Local Food Legend Award and Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance’s Barbara Petit Philanthropy Award.
• Amethyst Ganaway (Chef Amethyst Ganaway) Born and raised in North Charleston, South Carolina, Amethyst Ganaway is a celebrated chef, food writer, and content creator with nearly 15 years of industry experience. She champions Southern and African-American foodways and the African Diaspora, using food as a lens to explore history, culture, and sustainability. Her career spans leadership roles in diverse kitchens and collaborations with institutions like National Geographic, PBS, and The Smithsonian. Amethyst has earned accolades including the 2020 Les Dames d’Escoffier Legacy Culinary Award and 2024 Chef of the Year at the Wine and Culture Festival. Her debut cookbook, From the Roota to the Toota, is slated for release in 2027.
• Molly Gordon (Wando High School Culinary Arts) Chef Molly Gordon is the Chef Instructor at Wando High School in Mt. Pleasant, SC, where she has taught over 200 students since graduating from Johnson and Wales University in 2020. Under her leadership, her ProStart and FCCLA teams have earned state and national recognition for innovative restaurant concepts and projects. In 2023, Chef Gordon was honored as both the State and National FCCLA Adviser and Alumni of the Year. She initiated a partnership with Charleston Wine + Food in 2022, bringing students into the Chef Scholars Program and collaborating with chefs nationwide. Outside the classroom, she shares culinary content on social media as @SimplySouthernChef, showcasing her creativity and highlighting Southern restaurants.
• Pearce Fleming (Commonhouse Aleworks) Pearce Fleming is the visionary proprietor of Commonhouse Aleworks, a beloved brewery in North Charleston’s Park Circle, founded in 2018 to “celebrate what we all share in common.” Under his leadership, Commonhouse has become a community hub, launching initiatives like the unCOMMONly GOOD beer series, which supports local organizations, and hosting events like Park Circle Pride. Pearce’s background in healthcare administration, combined with his brewing certification, informs his thoughtful approach to both craft and community. He is a former president of the South Carolina Brewers Guild, advocating for legislative changes to benefit small breweries statewide. Through Commonhouse, Pearce fosters a culture of inclusivity, sustainability, and connection, making a meaningful impact one pint at a time.Molly Gordon (Wando High School Culinary Arts) Chef Molly Gordon is the Chef Instructor at Wando High School in Mt. Pleasant, SC, where she has taught over 200 students since graduating from Johnson and Wales University in 2020. Under her leadership, her ProStart and FCCLA teams have earned state and national recognition for innovative restaurant concepts and projects. In 2023, Chef Gordon was honored as both the State and National FCCLA Adviser and Alumni of the Year. She initiated a partnership with Charleston Wine + Food in 2022, bringing students into the Chef Scholars Program and collaborating with chefs nationwide. Outside the classroom, she shares culinary content on social media as @SimplySouthernChef, showcasing her creativity and highlighting Southern restaurants.
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• Ben’s Friends (nonprofit organization) Ben’s Friends is a coalition of sober F&B people committed to their sobriety in an industry filled with drugs, alcohol, and stress. Each of us has found or is seeking sobriety and a way to deal with our careers and life in a sane and purposeful fashion. We are here to share together how we do it and provide those seeking sobriety with the tools and the community needed to find it. Our only purpose is to help each other find freedom from the bondage of our addiction.
Event Details:
• Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2025
• Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
• Location: The Cedar Room, 701 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29403
• Tickets: [Website Link]
About Charleston Wine + Food
More than a five-day event, Charleston Wine + Food is a year-round organization devoted to celebrating the Lowcountry’s culinary culture, its influences, and its future. Through community-driven programming and initiatives, CHSWF fosters a sustainable and connected culinary and hospitality industry while showcasing Charleston on a national stage.
About REV Federal Credit Union
REV’s #UpTheGood Foundation is dedicated to uplifting communities through mentorship, resources, and opportunities, empowering future generations to thrive.