COLUMBIA, S.C.—To celebrate South Carolina’s rich culinary traditions and agricultural heritage, Governor Henry McMaster has announced the appointment of three renowned chefs as the state’s 2025 Chef Ambassadors. These chefs, who represent Greenville, Conway, and North Charleston, will highlight South Carolina’s rich culinary culture and locally produced ingredients at festivals, events, and marketing opportunities all year long.
The Chef Ambassadors for 2025 are:
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Jeanne Koenigsberg
, executive chef and kitchen general manager of Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery, Greenville. -
Darren Smith
, owner and executive chef of Rivertown Bistro and Bonfire, Conway. -
Shuai Wang
, chef and owner of Jackrabbit Filly and King BBQ, North Charleston.
The significance of food to South Carolina’s economy and culture was underlined by Governor McMaster. Two of our biggest sectors, tourism and agriculture, coexist and thrive in the food industry, which plays a significant role in the history, culture, and economy of our state. The Chef Ambassador program showcases the finest South Carolina chefs, farmers, and locally grown goods, highlighting and celebrating our world-class culinary expertise. I extend my congratulations to the class of 2025 for this amazing culinary accolade.
Championing Local Agriculture
The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT) and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) have partnered to create the Chef Ambassador program, which was introduced in 2014. Together, tourism and agriculture support hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout the state and produce tens of billions of dollars.
Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers stated, “Our Chef Ambassadors educate people about the origins of their food, how it is grown, and who grows it.” In the Palmetto State, agriculture and food are integral parts of our identity. I’m happy to welcome the 2025 class of Chef Ambassadors to represent their communities and display their talents on behalf of South Carolina’s agriculture.
Celebrating Culinary Excellence
SCPRT Director Duane Parrish emphasized the program’s contribution to tourism. Travelers of today seek out genuine experiences, and they believe that the best way to experience a place is through its cuisine. A key component of our state’s tourist success formula, Chef Ambassadors support our tourism sector and strengthen our economy.
Reflections from the 2025 Ambassadors
Every Chef Ambassador contributes a distinct viewpoint to the initiative:
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Chef Jeanne Koenigsberg
of Greenville reflected on her work at Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery. I m humbled to accept this nomination in a non-traditional food service establishment. It reminds us that the work we are doing is important to our community and surrounding communities. I know that this will continue to give us a platform to show the importance of local agriculture here in South Carolina. -
Chef Darren Smith
of Conway shared his passion for local ingredients and his deep South Carolina roots. Throughout my career, I ve been committed to showcasing the incredible bounty of South Carolina, from the rich harvests of local farms to the fresh seafood from our coastline just miles away. To be named a South Carolina Chef Ambassador is an honor beyond anything I ever dreamed of. -
Chef Shuai Wang
of North Charleston emphasized his dedication to local sourcing. This opportunity is a great way for me to showcase just how easy it is to support your local farmers and fishermen Certain farmers I ve been buying from since my wife and I s first business back in 2015, they ve become family. That s one of my favorite parts about living in Charleston it s a community.
Visit Discover South Carolina to learn more about the Chef Ambassador program.