South Carolina Announces 2026 Chef Ambassadors Showcasing State’s Culinary Talent

South Carolina’s vibrant culinary scene will get even more spotlight this year with the announcement of the 2026 South Carolina Chef Ambassadors, a group of three distinguished chefs selected by Governor Henry McMaster to represent the state’s rich food traditions and locally sourced ingredients.

Now in its twelfth year, the Chef Ambassador Program was launched in 2014 to unite South Carolina’s tourism and agricultural industries by promoting the state’s food culture, farms, fisheries and culinary innovators. Ambassadors serve in the truest sense — attending festivals, leading demonstrations, engaging with food lovers, and sharing stories behind South Carolina’s foodways both at home and beyond.

This year’s appointees include chefs from across the state who celebrate local ingredients, creativity and South Carolina’s deep culinary roots:

2026 South Carolina Chef Ambassadors

• Jordan Heyd – Owner and executive chef of Lekker Eats in Myrtle Beach, Heyd brings a health-driven, ingredient-forward approach to cooking that showcases the bounty of South Carolina’s farms and waters.

• Guichard Ulysse – Chef and owner of House 509 Bistro & Wine Bar in Greer, Ulysse blends French, Caribbean and Southern influences, creating dishes that reflect cultural heritage and culinary innovation.

• James London – Owner and chef at Chubby Fish and Seahorse in Charleston, London emphasizes sustainable seafood and dock-to-table cuisine rooted in Charleston’s coastal traditions.

The selection of these culinary leaders reflects the diversity of South Carolina’s food landscape — from the coast to the Upstate — and the growing interest in farm-to-table dining experiences that connect residents and visitors to the state’s agricultural heritage.

Highlighting Local Food & Agriculture

In announcing the ambassadors, Gov. McMaster noted the program highlights the strong partnership between South Carolina’s chefs and farmers and the role they play in tourism and agribusiness success. State agriculture officials added that the ambassadors help connect people not only with delicious food but with the farmers and producers behind it.

The Chef Ambassador Program continues to be a platform for South Carolina chefs to inspire food lovers with stories told through their dishes — celebrating both tradition and innovation in kitchens across the Palmetto State.

And for those traveling around South Carolina this year, a visit to one of these chefs’ restaurants offers a flavorful way to experience the creativity and local ingredients that make the state’s food scene stand out.