South Carolina’s Chef Ambassadors have long been winning hearts at home, and now they’re also making waves on national television. From fierce Food Network showdowns to PBS spotlights, these standout chefs are putting Palmetto State flavors on center stage. Luckily, you don’t need a backstage pass to taste what they’re cooking—just a reservation.
Southern Stars: South Carolina Chefs Lighting Up Your Screen
When Shuai Wang stepped into Bravo’s Top Chef kitchen, he brought with him the soul of Charleston and the spice of something entirely new. At Jackrabbit Filly and King BBQ in North Charleston, Wang fuses Southern ingredients with Chinese-American flavors in ways that are inventive, bold and unforgettable. Dine in, and you'll understand why the Holy City’s food scene is buzzing about him.
Orchid Paulmeier
A fan favorite from Food Network Star, Orchid Paulmeier is the heart and heat behind One Hot Mama’s BBQ on Hilton Head Island. A South Carolina Chef Ambassador, Paulmeier serves up slow-smoked ribs, golden cornbread and collard greens with a side of charisma. Her restaurant is proudly featured on the South Carolina BBQ Trail and lauded by locals and visitors alike.
Michael Sibert
From Guy’s Grocery Games to Chopped, Michael Sibert has proven he can turn mystery basket madness into mouthwatering success. His clever creations—like pancake tacos and risotto with teres major (an affordable cut of steak)—earned him top honors. Taste his elevated comfort food at White Wine & Butter at the Greer Golf Country Club in Greer.
Brandon Carter
Brandon Carter, the force behind FARM Bluffton, stepped up to Beat Bobby Flay with the same ethos he brings to the kitchen: respect the land, honor the ingredients and cook from the soul. With co-founder and farmer Ryan Williamson, Carter’s restaurants—including Common Thread and Strangebird Food Truck—embody the potential of hyper-local cuisine.
Sarah McClure
Two-time Guy’s Grocery Games contender Sarah McClure brings serious chops to her family-run restaurant, Southside Smokehouse in Landrum. With a menu full of smoked meats, fresh seafood and elevated Southern classics, she’s proof that small-town chefs can win on big-time stages and feed their communities in the process.
Kevin Mitchell
A classically trained chef and cultural historian, Kevin Mitchell has become a media ambassador for South Carolina’s culinary legacy. From TODAY to PBS’s A Taste of History and Food Network’s Delicious Miss Brown, Mitchell is a culinary educator, scholar and champion of local heritage ingredients (learn more on page 56) and time-honored “slow food” values.
Jamie Daskalis
Chef Jamie Daskalis of Johnny D’s Waffles and The Tasting Room on 9th shines bright on shows like Chef Swap and Steppin’ Out with Joseph Rosendo. A two-time “Best Chef” winner and autism awareness advocate, Daskalis hosts sensory-friendly events alongside creating crave-worthy waffles and heartfelt Southern hospitality.
