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Andrew Jones
Meet Andrew Jones, a Lowcountry native who has dedicated his life to cultivating the finest, most distinctive oysters from the pristine waters of Bird Island since 2019. He has always felt a profound connection to the water and the life it harbors. After 5 years of experience of being just a harvester, his passion and […]
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Andy McLeod
Chef Andy McLeod, a proud South Carolinian, boasts over 15 years of culinary experience deeply rooted in the South’s vibrant food culture. His journey commenced in local kitchens during high school, and after relocating to Charleston, he found his way waiting tables, initially not envisioning a culinary career. However, a chance meeting with influential chef […]
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Austin Blake
Born and raised in Springfield, Virginia, Austin Blake was surrounded by cooking and kitchens from a young age. Blake’s mother being well-versed in the kitchen, and his dad, an Executive Chef in DC, set the stage for his culinary interest. Amidst a busy household of seven siblings with Chef Austin being in the middle, he […]
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Bintou N’Daw
Bintou N’Daw, a culinary professional originally from St. Louis island in Senegal, West Africa, moved to France as a teenager to pursue her culinary training. With a passion for exploring diverse cuisines, she traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Caribbean, and numerous African countries before settling in New York 15 years ago. During her time in […]
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Brighid O’Keane
Brighid O’Keane is the Founder & Owner of Drafters Tea Company, based in Western North Carolina. Drafters Tea imports rare teas directly from a 5th-generation family farm in Thailand, where Brighid has lived and worked for over two decades. She has served as an advisor to the Specialty Tea Alliance and was a co-founder of […]
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Brooke Warden
Charleston native and certified sommelier Brooke Warden opened Pink Cactus with the goal of bringing a hip, fun, and casual Oaxacan-style restaurant to Charleston’s blossoming food scene. Brooke developed a deep passion for Oaxacan ingredients and cooking techniques during a series of trips there where she discovered a completely different expression of Mexican cuisine than […]
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Cameron Wetzler
A Charlotte native. Cameron got his start in the culinary industry shucking oyster’s and washing dishes at a local dive bar in high school. Quickly falling under the spell of the industry lifestyle, he quickly moved up the line and found his passion for cooking and started his life’s journey into the culinary arts. After […]
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Chris Viaud
Chris Viaud, a two times James Beard Award Nominee & Top Chef Alumni, is the chef and owner of Greenleaf and Ansanm, both based in Milford NH & Pavilion located in Wolfeboro NH which are all restaurants under his hospitality company Northern Comfort Dining Group. Upon graduating from Johnson and Wales in Providence RI, Viaud […]
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Chris Williams
Chris Williams, a 2022 James Beard Award finalist and a 2023 semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurateur, trained in French, Mediterranean, West Indian, and East African cuisine, found his calling through a rich family history of culinary pioneers. Educated at Le Cordon Bleu in Austin, Texas, Williams traveled globally, honing his craft before opening Lucille’s in August […]
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Christian Favier
Christian Favier is obsessive about drinks. Cutting his teeth in restaurants and bars around New York City, his passion for progressive drinking and high quality spirits became his life. Running bar programs from modern Lebanese to classic Italian aperitif to minimalist Scandinavian, he is always looking to push how people drink, and how he can […]
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Colin Marcelli
Colin Marcelli moved to Charleston in 2011 from New Jersey to attend the College of Charleston. While in school, he first started cooking at downtown restaurant Muse. After graduation, Marcelli briefly moved back north before making his way back to Charleston to pursue a career in restaurants. Since then, he’s worked alongside many chefs, owners, […]
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Courtney and Nicole Tomer
Courtney is a Connecticut-born SC transplant and a 2002 graduate of Johnson & Wales Charleston. He has worked alongside some of the most talented chefs and cooks in the city. Nicole honed her hospitality skills at busy bars on her home of Cape Cod, and local Charleston institutions. After years of missing their regional favorites: […]
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Danetra Richardson
Danetra is the Executive Chef and owner of Swank Desserts. The idea for Swank came from a business plan project! The concept needed to fill a gap in the market and solve a problem; offering more creative dessert options and creating a space where dessert is celebrated and not treated like an afterthought. After launching […]
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Dave Smoke McCluskey
Dave Smoke McCluskey is a Mohawk Chef, Miller, Native American Foodways lecturer and educator and the owner of Corn Mafia, makers of small batch hominy. Corn Mafia os recognized as one pf the few producers of true hominy with grinds such as grits, cornmeal, masa/flour and traditional whole hominy. Chef McCluskey has over 35 years […]
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Devon Henderson
Jamaican Grill was founded in 2011 and located in historic North Charleston, South Carolina. Jamaican Grill produces some of the most esteemed authentic Caribbean cuisine in the area. Our restaurant has also enjoyed wide acclaim for its stunning preparations of Jamaica’s historic taste of the centuries. We are well known for our famous oxtails and […]
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Don Drake
Magnolias’ Culinary Arts Director Donald Drake has over 30 years of experience working in Magnolias’ legendary East Bay Street kitchen. He joined the restaurant as Sous Chef in 1991, and today is the force who keeps Magnolias at the top of the nation’s list for exceptional Southern cuisine. Prior to relocating to Charleston, Drake simultaneously […]
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Elliott Howells
Elliott began working in the food and beverage industry age of fifteen, bussing tables and washing dishes. Moving to Charleston in 2002 to pursue a career in hospitality, Elliott graduated from the French Culinary Institute in 2008. Since that time, he’s worked in numerous restaurants around Charleston, focused heavily on French technique and building relationships […]
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Femi Oyediran
Femi is a sommelier based in Charleston, South Carolina, where he runs his wine store and wine bar with his business partner and old friend, Miles White. He’s a self-professed “music junkie” who enjoys sharing the experience of a great glass of wine with the sounds of a great album, all while living in one […]
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Frank Kline
Chef/owner of Grace & Grit, Frank Kline has spent his life preparing for this role. Born and raised in Mt. Pleasant, Frank has a deep respect for the food, culture and history of his home. He spent years in restaurants throughout the area, working every position and learning every aspect of the business he could […]
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Hillary Sterling
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Executive Chef Hillary Sterling first felt the pull of the industry as a teenager bussing tables during summers in Montauk, New York. She’s since worked alongside renowned chefs Bobby Flay and Missy Robbins, and has built her career in celebrated New York restaurants such as Mesa Grill, Lupa, A Voce, […]
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Jacob Sessoms
Jacob Sessoms is founder and chef-partner at Perfectly Ad Hoc Hospitality Group. Sessoms opened the iconic Asheville restaurant Table in 2005, launching the first of numerous successful culinary ventures in town, including All Day Darling, a neighborhood café in Asheville’s historic Montford neighborhood. Sessoms is also behind the three food and beverage concepts within Asheville’s The Radical Hotel: Afterglow, […]
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Jacques Larson
Jacques Larson has been working in kitchens for over three decades and in Charleston, SC for twenty five of those years. Overseeing two of Charleston’s most beloved restaurants, The Obstinate Daughter and Wild Olive, Jacques’ focus is primarily Italian with Lowcountry influences. Working from a simple and seasonal model, the food at both restaurants reflects […]
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Jake Stone
After nearly 7 years as Chef de Cuisine for Salthouse Catering, Jake Stone worked his way up to the position of Executive Chef in January 2023. Jake manages every aspect of our kitchen operation from menu planning, costing and ordering to providing leadership to the culinary team. Jake’s interest in food began while watching his […]
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Jake White
Chef Jake White is a highly trained Professional Personal Chef with over 10 years of culinary experience. His speciality is customizing gourmet meals for the most discriminating tastes. Chef Jake and his team’s attention to detail, flair for flavorful dishes, and Southern Charm set them apart from other personal chef companies. Wether you’re looking for […]
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Jamaal Lemon
Jamaal Lemon is a 2023 James Beard Award-winning journalist, with two previous nominations in 2022 and 2023. He also won the North American Guild for Beer Writers Award in 2020 and 2022 and was a finalist for the International Association of Culinary Professionals Award in 2022. His work explores the connections between beer, climate change, […]
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James London
James London was born in South Carolina and was drawn to cooking and fishing at a young age. After cooking his way through the College of Charleston he headed up to New York City where he attended The French Culinary Institute prior to completing an 8 year stint in the Big Apple. From there James […]
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Jeff Allen
As Executive Chef at Millers All Day, Jeff Allen’s knack for creative dishes paired with his formal training shines on each plate at the brunch-centric restaurant in historic downtown Charleston. Since joining the team in July 2021, Allen continues to execute fun and lighthearted dishes prepared with serious ingredients and classic technique. The son of […]
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Jillian Vose
Co-owner Hazel & Apple, Charleston, SC to open in 2024 Co-founder of Outwalker Irish Whiskey launched October 2023 Partner & brand Ambassador of Badger Bevs cocktail mixers Author of ‘Mixology & Mayhem'(2018), ‘Paddy Drinks: Modern Irish Whiskey Cocktails’ (2022), and ‘ ‘When Whiskey Met its Match: How the Irish Coffee Captivated the World (2022) Drinks […]
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John Lewis
A trailblazer in the neo-traditional style of Central Texas barbecue, Pitmaster John Lewis uses his custom-made smokers to produce expertly smoked pork spareribs, beef ribs, “Texas hot guts” sausage, and his legendary beef brisket. John grew to El Paso, TX and at 18, he packed up and moved to Austin to start his culinary career. […]
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John Zucker
For more than two decades, Executive Chef and Owner John Zucker has been bringing his vision to life in the lowcountry of South Carolina. His award-winning catering company has been voted Best Caterer for the past 19 years in Charleston City Paper and he also runs two successful Charleston restaurants, Cru Café and the most […]
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Jonathan Kaldas
Chef Jonathan I. M. Kaldas is a born and bred Charlestonian of Egyptian descent. Having graduated from the Culinary Institute of Charleston, he’s been a staple on the Charleston food scene most of his life. Chef Jonathan is proud to have served on the American Culinary Federation team for South Carolina for several years. Chef […]
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Josh Eboch
At Barrier Island Oyster Co. our mission is to produce Charleston’s favorite oyster, while preserving our pristine Lowcountry waterways for future generations to enjoy. That’s why we grow every one of our oysters in floating cages. This restorative growing method guarantees the highest quality product, and also helps to reduce the pressure on wild oyster […]
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Josh Taylor
The culinary world has been part of Josh’s Life since he was a boy growing up in North Georgia. Essentially raised in the hospitality industry, his earliest memories are working at his mothers restaurant when he was a young boy. washing dishes and bussing tables Since then Chef Taylor has worked in many different facets […]
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Joy Wilson
Joy Wilson, also known as Joy the Baker, is a self-taught baker, cookbook author, and blogger who has been delighting readers and home bakers with her warm, relatable voice and mouth-watering recipes for over a decade. Originally from Los Angeles, Joy spent ten years soaking up the vibrant flavors of New Orleans before recently relocating […]
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Julia Momosé
Julia Momosé is a bartender, James Beard awarded author, business owner, and the creative force behind Kumiko, the acclaimed dining bar in Chicago. Momosé was raised in Japan, where she began developing the traits that would inform her approach to beverages: sophistication, elegance, and a deep respect for artisanship. Her work has garnered international renown, […]
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Kat Craddock
Kat Craddock is the New York City-based Editor-in-Chief and CEO of SAVEUR magazine. She joined the legacy food magazine in 2015 by way of the test kitchen, and in an unprecedented move, acquired the title in 2023. She’s also the co-author of the new cookbook, ‘Eat Better, Sleep Better: 75 Recipes and A 28-Day Meal Plan That […]
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Katie Button
Katie Button Chief Brand Officer, Chef and Founder, Cúrate Katie Button is a five-time James Beard Foundation award nominated chef, cookbook author, media personality, and founder of Asheville-based Cúrate, a collection of restaurants, online marketplace, wine club and culinary journeys designed to connect people with the Spanish experience. Katie earned a Master’s degree in Biomedical […]
