The Lowcountry Food Bank's 27th annual Chefs' Feast event on February 22 generated more than $640,000, setting a new fundraising record. Held at Trident Technical College's Thornley Campus in North Charleston, the gathering drew nearly 500 attendees to support childhood feeding programs. The event honored the late Chef Robert Carter, its founder, amid rising food insecurity in the region.
The Chefs' Feast, one of Charleston's largest charitable events, united community partners and guests in efforts to provide equitable access to food. Presented by Atlas Tech and hosted by ABC News 4 Chief Meteorologist Dave Williams, the evening featured contributions from 35 local chefs serving signature dishes. Attendees enjoyed a live auction and interactions with celebrity chefs, including Lead Chef Jacques Larson of The Obstinate Daughter and Wild Olive, who has held the role for the ninth year.
A poignant tribute marked the occasion, honoring Chef Robert Carter, who established the event in 1999 and passed away in 2025. His sons, Benjamin and Harrison, joined participating chefs in remembering his legacy of community service.
Proceeds from the event fund Lowcountry Food Bank's childhood hunger initiatives, such as Kids Café, Backpack Buddies, School Market, School Pantry, Summer Meals, and Kids in the Kitchen Nutrition Education. These programs address after-school, weekend, and summer hunger for children, at a time when one in five Lowcountry children faces food insecurity.
Nick Osborne, president and CEO of the Lowcountry Food Bank, highlighted the urgency: "We should not forget that there are a growing number of families in the Lowcountry struggling to make ends meet. Families that must make almost impossible decisions between paying for a roof over their heads or paying for food for their family. Let’s make a difference in their lives tonight."
Osborne added, "Community support for Chefs' Feast is essential to ensure our childhood feeding programs and other services can meet the growing need. We remain unwavering in our commitment to listen to our neighbors, respond to their changing needs, and ensure every person we serve is treated with dignity and respect—so they, too, can be active participants and contributors to a nourished and thriving coastal South Carolina."
Projections for 2026 indicate food insecurity in the ten-county service area will rise by nearly 20,000 individuals, reaching over 204,000 people—a 55.6 percent increase over three years. Rising costs for essentials and reductions in federal programs like SNAP are exacerbating the challenges for the food banking system.
Participating establishments included 82 Queen, Acme Lowcountry Kitchen, and others such as Hank's Seafood, Magnolias, and Wild Olive.