Guest Chefs & Personalities

At the Music to Your Mouth Festival, we offer one-of-a-kind culinary experiences that redefine the way our guests look at food and wine. To do this, we gather a cavalry of culinarians, winemakers, musicians and artists to accentuate the abundance of ingredients from our surrounding waters, woods and local farms. This collaborative effort of industry leaders allows us to take our guests on a sensory experience that can only be called Music to Your Mouth. Check back often, this list continues to grow, and we might just have a few surprises in store!


Gail Simmons, culinary expert, food writer and judge on BRAVO’s Emmy-winning hit series Top Chef	Julia Rutland Senior Food Editor, Coastal Living

Donald Barickman, Founding Executive Chef Magnolias Uptown/Down South Charleston, SC	John Briody, Executive Chef Palmetto Bluff Club Bluffton, SC

Sean Brock, Executive Chef McCrady's Restaurant Charleston, SC	Jason Carlen, Sommelier The Inn at Palmetto Bluff Bluffton, SC

Tom Condron, Chef and Owner The Liberty Charlotte, NC	Ed Cotton, Executive Chef Plein Sud at the Smyth Hotel New York, NY

Frankie Denmark, BBQ Master Hawg Wild Ridgeland, SC	Donald Drake, Executive Chef Magnolias Uptown/Down South Charleston, SC

Patrick Emerson, Sommelier Slightly North of Broad Charleston, SC	Kenny Gilbert, Executive Chef PGA National Resort & Spa Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Kirk Gilbert, Executive Chef The Inn at Palmetto Bluff Bluffton, SC	Kevin Gillespie, Executive Chef / Partner Woodfire Grill Atlanta, GA

Chris and Idie Hastings, Chef / Co-owners Hot and Hot Fish Club Birmingham, AL	Abi Hernandez, Chef Corks Wine Company Bluffton, SC

Jasmine Hirsch Hirsch Vineyards Sonoma, CA	Jason Houser, Executive Chef Muse Charleston, SC

Ted Huffman, Pit Master Bluffton BBQ Bluffton, SC	Daron "Farmer D" Joffe Farmer D Organics Atlanta, GA

Matt Jording, Executive Chef/Owner The Sage Room Hilton Head, SC	Johannes Klapdohr, Executive Chef Old Edwards Inn Highlands, NC

Frank Lee, Executive Chef Slightly North of Broad, Old Village Post House, High Hammock, Charleston, SC	Alphonse “Lee” Lucier IV, Executive Chef Robert Irvine’s eat! Hilton Head, SC

Tory McPhail Commander's Palace New Orleans, LA	Bruce Moffett, Executive Chef / Owner Barrington’s & Good Food on Montford Charlotte, NC

Chris Nason, Chef Sapphire Grill Savannah, GA	Andrea Reusing, Executive Chef/Owner Lantern Chapel Hill, NC

Matthew Roher, Executive Chef / Owner Cha Bella / Earth to Table LLC Savannah, GA	Minette Rushing, Pastry Chef/Owner Minette Rushing Custom Cakes Savannah, GA

Kevin Sbraga, Executive Chef Rat’s Restaurant at the Grounds for Sculpture Hamilton, NJ	Darin Sehnert, Culinary Director 700 Kitchen Cooking School Savannah, GA

John B. Shields, Executive Chef Karen Urie Shields, Pastry Chef Town House Chillhowie, VA	Bill Smith, Executive Chef Crook’s Corner Chapel Hill, NC

Robert Stehling, Executive Chef / Owner Hominy Grill Charleston, SC	David Vincent Young, Executive Chef / Owner Roastfish & Cornbread Hilton Head, SC