Johnny, a Charleston native, has a unique perspective on the food and beverage industry. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The College of Charleston and her Juris Doctorate from Charleston School of Law.  As the co-founder of Cocktail Bandits, she crafted cocktails for celebrities like The Real Housewives of Atlanta and former President Barack Obama.

Emma M. Cromedy and Sameka M. Jenkins are the sister duo behind the beloved Carolima’s Lowcountry Cuisine. Sameka’s passion for cooking began in college, feeding friends with bold, comforting flavors. Emma has been crafting Southern desserts since she could reach the mixing bowl, always leaving guests wanting more. From savory classics to sweet indulgences, their dishes are true crowd pleasers.

Amethyst Ganaway is a chef, food writer, and cultural curator from North Charleston, South Carolina. She develops nationally recognized food, writing, and cultural programming centered on Black Southern foodways, history, and community, spanning event curation, museum partnerships, and editorial work. Her work bridges tradition and contemporary practice through projects that connect food, land, storytelling, and collective memory.

Rashaunda is a chef and Charleston native who poured her love of community, culture, and food into The Carolina Cookery.  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 offers her services as a private chef and caterer as well as hosting private hands-on cooking classes. 

Robin, CEO and Founder of Dolly & Eliza’s Preserves, Pickles, and More, launched in 2024 using her great-grandmother’s strawberry preserve recipe dating from the 1870s. With more than 40 years of experience, her work includes co-hosting an episode of Magnolia Network’s In With The Old, contributing as an author to the cookbook When Southern Women Cook, and writing for Cook’s Country Magazine. Her current role is Principal of Epicuity Hospitality Consulting.

Christina, a native Charlestonian, is a legacy pastry chef and the owner of Bert & T’s Desserts. Her passion is inspired by her late grandmothers, “Bert & T.” Christina specializes in Gullah and southern desserts, in addition to ice cream.

Rhonda Mitchell, a Charleston native, is the founder of The Drizzled Pear Catering Company, specializing in seasonal, locally inspired Southern cuisine rooted in family heirloom recipes. Her work has been featured by Charleston City Paper, The Post and Courier, Saveur, and Charleston Magazine, and she has catered events for notable celebrities and dignitaries.

Elaina brings over a decade in foodservice, starting in fine dining in 2014. Her career spans restaurants, pop-ups, private dining, festivals, and national TV, including Food Network’s Chopped and FOX’s Hell’s Kitchen. From line cook to leading 100+ high school students, she now focuses on mentoring the next generation—teaching hard work, intentionality, and the power of using their voice.