2024 CHARLESTON-SAVANNAH RISING STARS AWARDS

It’s easy to feel at home in Charleston and Savannah. Back in the Lowcountry for the first time in almost a decade, the sibling cities made us feel like we’d never left. Charleston has continued to forge itself into a formidable food city over the past few years, and Savannah has followed in its path. Thanks to a post-pandemic tourism boom, an influx of transplants, and entrepreneurial locals, the hospitality scene is on a roll. Food and beverage professionals in the region are building on the momentum and creating engaging, inviting, and innovative spaces.

Rather than simply cater to the tastes of tourists, restaurants and bars are choosing to be distinctive and reflective of their communities. Diners are becoming more adventurous, and chefs, bartenders, and sommeliers are taking note. What hasn’t changed is the focus on the region’s agricultural products. In both cities, restaurants are investing in their local farmers and fishermen and showcasing what the Lowcountry has to offer. Chefs in Charleston and Savannah are also dedicated to sharing the region’s culinary history, paying respect to its African, Caribbean, and Gullah-Geechee influences, and serving plenty of Carolina Gold rice. Tradition and an appreciation for the past, however, isn’t restricting innovation and creativity.

As Charleston and Savannah grow and develop, new voices and perspectives are flocking to the region eager to embrace its history, agriculture, and community. And while much has changed over the past decade, what matters most has stayed the same. “I know that the art of hospitality is stronger than ever,” says Chef Jason Stanhope in his letter to Charleston and Savannah. “Maybe I’m projecting, but I can feel the love flowing through the kitchen doors back into our dining rooms.” With their genuine, warm hospitality and thoughtful food and drink, the chefs, bartenders, sommeliers, and artisans in these coastal cities are undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with.