-
Keith Beavers
Keith Beavers is the Tastings Director of VinePair and the Host of Vinepair’s Wine 101 podcast. He previously owned In Vino Restaurant and Wine Bar and Alphabet City Wine Company wine shop in New York, where his stewardship was the subject of a New York Times profile in 2010. He is self-taught and has been […]
-
Keith Rhodes
From the Coast of NC,Chef Keith Rhodes has arrived; with Restaurants, Catch Restaurant, Tacklebox Kitchen , Phun Seafood bar & Catch the Food Truck & Tackle box Food Truck, all located in Wilmington NC Metro area. A NC native Chef Rhodes brings his unique take on New Southern Cuisine with international flair. Crediting his grandfather […]
-
Kevin Deschenes
Culinary Director/ Executive Chef “To The Stars” & Author of “Beyond My Chef Coat” KevinD has become one of the most sought after Chef’s & Event Producers in the industry. Chef Kev D has become one of the most sought after Chef’s & Event Producers in the industry. Having launched a successful Event Production, Consultant […]
-
Kimberly Peterson
Kimberly “Vivi” Peterson , a Charleston native is a chef and owner of Chanel’s Gullah cuisine kitchen and catering/Food truck.. While she specializes in Gullah/ Geechee dishes, Kim also prepares many unique dishes that incorporate locally sourced produce and seafood. Kim’s love for cooking comes from her late grandmother. She started at a very young […]
-
Macready Downer
Macready Downer, an award-winning chef formally trained at the Scottsdale Culinary Arts Institute, possesses extensive experience from high-end dining establishments. He has trained under renowned chefs including James Beard Award nominee Chef Kevin Binkley and James Beard Award-winning Chef Jose Andres. As the visionary behind East Bay Street’s Rudy Royale, Macready combines traditional and contemporary […]
-
Marcus Shell
Born and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Marcus Shell discovered his love for cooking at a young age, beginning his first kitchen role at just 14 years old. Inspired by the fast-paced environment and camaraderie in the kitchen, Marcus pursued his culinary education at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Cambridge, Mass., earning an associate degree in applied […]
-
Maryam Ghaznavi
In Pakistan’s language of Urdu, Ma’am Saab means “lady boss” and Malika means “queen”, both of which quite literally define Chef/Owner Maryam Ghaznavi. The force behind Ma’am Saab, and the first-ever Pakistani restaurant to grace the state, Malika, Maryam, along with her husband, Co-Owner and Creative Director Raheel Gauba, are bringing a taste of Pakistan […]
-
Nick Dugan
Nick Dugan grew up in a rural town in upstate New York, getting his culinary start by washing dishes at a local pizzeria. After falling in love with life in the kitchen, he worked his way up the ranks to an impressive career in just a few short years. After graduating from The Culinary Institute […]
-
Nik R. Cole
Nik R. Cole is a trained to Chef who works hard in the industry to make space for women chefs and to make sure that they are seen and represented. She is wildly passionate about storytelling and helping people so she creates spaces and collaborations to execute events that have purpose. She has several brands […]
-
Paul Farmer
As Executive Chef of The Archer, Paul Farmer applies his French training and techniques to comfort food to deliver an upscale, but relaxed dining experience. Paul enjoys taking familiar ingredients and presenting them in new ways, allowing guests to explore new flavors in an approachable way. Prior to The Archer, Paul was the Executive Chef […]
-
Rashaunda Grant
Combining classical techniques with traditional Gullah-Geechee recipes and foodways, Rashaunda seeks to educate, entertain and delight the masses with a style she describes as “Southern Soul Re-imagined.” Rashaunda currently offers her services as a private chef and caterer as well as hosting private hands-on cooking classes in the greater Charleston Area.
-
Robert Stehling
Celebrated southern chef Robert Stehling founded and owned/operated the iconic Hominy Grill in Charleston, SC for more than two decades before closing in 2019. A native North Carolinian, Stehling began cooking at Crook’s Corner in Chapel Hill, NC under Bill Neal, the renowned southern chef credited with spurring the renaissance of interest in regional southern […]
-
Rodney Scott
Rodney Scott takes small town traditions to the world stage with his Carolina Whole Hog BBQ. He is a James Beard Award Winner for Best Chef in the Southeast and featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table and BBQ Brawl, and Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown. Rodney’s delicious food continues to echo his love for community by his […]
-
Ruben Santana
Ruben Santana is a young man with a truly inspiring life story, as he has used his setbacks as fuel to become a successful individual. This empowered man began his culinary journey in an empirical manner in the field of cooking. It all started with a barbecue in the backyard of his house during the […]
-
Rusty Tucker
Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, Jonathan “Rusty” Tucker grew up in a home that thrived on the joy of entertaining. With Southern hospitality flowing through his veins, Rusty believes that there’s nothing quite like bringing people together over delicious food. Alongside his wife, Beth, Rusty sharpened his culinary skills at Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, […]
-
Sa’Quan Jenkins
Charleston-born and Brooklyn-raised mixologist Sa’Quan returned to the Lowcountry during high school. In 2014, Sa’Quan joined Teach the Need, a program that helped high schoolers learn the basics of working in a restaurant and understand the essence of hospitality. This pivotal moment shifted his career path from Computer Science to Food and Beverage. With experience […]
-
Sara Floyd
SARA FLOYD MS Sara Floyd has had a varied and colorful career in the wine business, launching her wine career working as an assistant to Larry Stone, the “dean” of American sommeliers, at Rubicon restaurant in San Francisco. Ms. Floyd then became Wine Director for the Vertigo Restaurant, where she developed an award-winning wine list […]
-
Sarah & Nate Williams-Scalise
In the summer of 1988, Sarah was born in the seaside province of Jeollabuk-do, South Korea. 6 months later, she traveled halfway around the world with a dozen other Korean babes to a new family and a new home – in Upstate NY. Starting at a young age, her parents enrolled her into two nearby […]
-
Setrini Sison
Born in the Philippines, Chef Setrini Sison moved to Charleston at the age of 9, making the Low Country his home. Setrini moved to Chicago and attended DuPage to start his culinary career. During his time in Chicago, he was Sous Chef at Mario Batali’s Eataly and continued to grow his experience until finally moving […]
-
Shannon Lee
Growing up in a small town on the outskirts of Raleigh, NC, Pastry Chef Shannon Lee moved slightly west to attend Johnson & Wales University – Charlotte. With an Associate’s Degree in Baking & Pastry Arts, a Bachelor’s in Food Service Management, and a MBA from East Carolina University, she has always strived to find […]
-
Sophina Uong
Sophina Uong, a James Beard 2024 Best Chef South semi-finalist, is the Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Mister Mao in New Orleans, a restaurant recognized by Bon Appétit as one of the “50 Best New Restaurants”. Renowned for her “inauthentic” globally-inspired cuisine, Uong creatively blends her deep knowledge of international flavors with a unique interpretation […]
-
Suzanne Cupps
Known for her vegetable-forward cooking, nuanced flavors and impeccable sourcing of seasonal ingredients, Chef Suzanne Cupps has led the kitchens at some of New York City’s most celebrated restaurants. Yet, among her industry peers, Cupps’ mentorship and collaborative leadership style is perhaps even more respected than her cooking. Her interest in education began at Clemson […]
-
Teshawn Gamble
Teshawn Gamble is the Executive Chef at Parisian restaurant Félix Cocktails et Cuisine and elevated sipping lounge and salon privé La Cave, both located in historic downtown Charleston, SC. Pulling inspiration from France, Gamble leans on traditional French culinary techniques, while applying a Southern touch with local ingredients and flavors. He works in tandem with […]
-
Tim Richardson
Like many chefs, South Carolina native Tim Richardson gravitated to the kitchen as a teenager. Richardson spent several years learning the restaurant business at locally owned steak houses in Columbia, S.C., before discovering his niche at Twigs, a charming restaurant located in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Under the tutelage of Twigs Chef Ryan Brevda, Richardson […]
-
Tom Donnelly
Executive Chef Tom Donnelly knew at fifteen what he wanted to do and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America less than seven years later. He started his formal chef career in catering with Abigail Kirsch Catering and Thomas Preti Caterers. He gained experience in the restaurant industry with One if By Land, Two if By Sea in New York […]
-
Toni Gilliard
Tipsy Lady RTD Cocktails proudly stands as the first Woman Owned Ready to Drink (RTD) spirits brand in South Carolina, and we are honored to be the first black woman-owned venture in this space, founded in 2019. Our award-winning cocktails are crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using only the finest premium ingredients and infused […]
-
Vinnie Cimino
Chef Vinnie Cimino ‘Cleveland Chef to Watch’ and 2024 James Beard Finalist, Vinnie Cimino, has built a reputation for combining culinary talent and entrepreneurial spirit to drive team goodwill and industry progression. His restaurant Cordelia embodies “Midwest Nice” hospitality where the team and guests come first, and the focus is on bringing a bounty of […]
