As a former food & beverage person, I have been spoiled my hometown...delicious lowcountry food, refreshing cocktails and great atmosphere, there's nothing like it in the US. Of course you would think NYC as the food capital of the US, and I probably would agree but that's the food capital of the US in regards to a big city, we in Charleston, I'd like to think, are the food capital of the little cities. There's nothing better than heading into Cypress & seeing my favorite server, Phillis, and trying out new creations. And when I'm on a tighter budget, I love heading to Sette and Long Point Grill for half price bottle of wine nights and enjoying an inexpensive meal with my husband.  I am willing to experiment with healthy dishes that I never did as a child.

When I look back at my childhood I know I didn't eat healthy, which is one of the reasons I've always struggled with my weight. My great grandma used fatback & lard in her kitchen and I didn't know any different (event though her biscuits & gravy were to die for!!) I drank soda all the time and chowed on sweets...I don't blame my parents, they were doing the best they could with me. But I'm glad that I've begun a new way of eating with an occassional slip-up. I think that is why I can relate to all the kids going thru Fit Club at the local schools with Louie's Kids. Many of these kids have parents who work 2 and 3 jobs just to make ends meet...I've been there both as a child and adult. It's no excuse, it's just an overwhelming cycle where the cheap and easy foods win. So when Louis Yuhasz got the opportunity to put on the Big Chef, Little Chef event in August, I was all about it. Thanks to the Civic Design Center, this event is coming alive with a food twist....to have kids paired up with local chefs, they'll prepare a dish together & hopefully learn a thing or two about each other. Both Dave & I will be the emcees for this first ever event and we can't wait! I hope you can join us!

A big thanks to the chefs who have graciously donated their time & effort...: Nico Romo of Fish, Michelle Weaver of Charleston Grill,  Craig Diehl of Cypress, and Marc Collins of Circa 1886 and Chef Brett McKee of Oak Steakhouse.