Flavor Forays 10th annual Grits, Gullah, and the Three O’clock Dinner, February 9 to 11, 2026
Ten years and counting! Yes, this was the 10th year we’ve been fortunate enough to share the charms of Charleston with a group of enthusiastic chefs and f&b leaders. We love Charleston--the people the food, the culture. The hospitality is without peer. Everyone we bring remarks on the gracious hospitality of our hosts. Charleston offers a deep history and a unique food culture but innovative chefs, farmers, fisherman, distillers, and producers are moving the culinary scene forward, making it a destination to watch. Thanks to surprise special guest legendary chef Frank Lee we learned a bit about the golden age of Charleston cuisine when he was the pioneer on the scene. And we were brought up to date by today’s passionate local culinarians who both inspired and educated us. And fed us! They made sure no one went hungry!
Cheers to ten years!
Thanks to all the chefs and f&b leaders for joining our 10th annual Grits, Gullah and the Three o’clock Dinner in February. We enjoyed seeing old friends and making some new ones. We were honored that the Flavor Forays trip was the prize awarded to three Marriott Masters of the Craft winners. It was an inspiration to meet such up and coming young talent. We lucked out with the most glorious sunny weather.
Let’s give a shout out to all the Charlestonians who welcomed us, instructed us, inspired us and fed us.
Our gracious host Jessica Bowman, Spectator Hotel. Tour guide Kay Abrams who brings Charleston history to life. Peter and Cindy Mathias who welcomed us into their home for our opening lunch catered by Duvall. Chef James London who wowed with a gigantic roasted tuna collar and a delectable crudo. Farmer/rancher Tank Jackson who’s known for his Carolina Iberico hams. Chef Michael Toscana who’s bringing a taste of Italy to Charleston with his amazing porchetta sandwiches. Shokudo where Chef Masa commanded rapt attention with his tuna butchery and robata grilling. Bigelow’s Charleston Tea Garden, the only commercial tea farm in the states. Gullah ambassador chef BJ Dennis who made sure we were eating history. The Goatery at Kiawah River where we were overcome with goat love and Missy’s amazing regenerative farming knowledge. Bintou N’daw whose Bintu Atelier was named one of the 50 best new restaurants in the U.S by Esquire magazine. Bintou connects the dots between West African cuisine and Charleston’s Gullah heritage. Isaac Morton’s modern cast iron skillets at Smithey Ironware. Pastry Chef Heather Hutton who created a magical dessert called The Sigh of Lima. Chef Bob Cook at Edmunds Oast who never fails to please with his crispy fried chicken , collard greens, and curried mac and cheese.
Many, many thanks to all our wonderful sponsors. American Quick Foods, Arc Cardinal, Bigelow Tea, Constellation Brands, Nestle Waters and Premium Beverages, Seaboard Foods. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Our home away from home was the lovely Spectator Hotel where everybody gets a butler! Nobody could stop talking about that. Thanks to the staff for taking such good care of us.
