Roy’s Grille and Halls Chophouse will compete in the 2025 World Food Championships representing Team Lake Murray Country
March 31, 2025
Two outstanding chefs, Chef Chris Williams of Roy’s Grille and Chef Chris Kravitz of Halls Chophouse, have been selected to join Team Lake Murray Country at the World Food Championships after winning the People’s Choice vote at Taste of Lake Murray. These talented chefs will showcase their culinary expertise on the international stage, bringing recognition to the Lake Murray Country region.
Held on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia, Taste of Lake Murray served as the “South Carolina Super Regional Qualifier” event for the World Food Championships. The event drew food lovers from across the region, who cast their votes to determine the two chefs who would represent Team Lake Murray Country at the 2025 World Food Championships (WFC) in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Roy’s Grille and Halls Chophouse were selected to represent Team Lake Murray Country at the 2025 World Food Championships in Indianapolis, Illinois.
Chef Chris Williams is no stranger to the world stage. As the owner and chef of Roy’s Grille in Irmo, SC, and a 2022 South Carolina Chef Ambassador, he has represented Team Lake Murray Country at the World Food Championships since 2023, achieving 13th place in the Rice category in 2024 and 2nd place in the Sandwich category in 2023. His ongoing participation in the WFC underscores his dedication to the culinary arts and his passionate pursuit of top honors for the region.
For Boston native, Executive Chef Chris Kravitz, this marks his first appearance at the prestigious competition, providing an exciting opportunity to test his skills against some of the world’s top chefs. Chef Kravitz honed his culinary expertise in renowned Boston restaurants and further refined his craft in Paris. In 2021, he moved to Columbia, SC, to serve as Executive Chef at California Dreaming, and in 2024, he was named Executive Chef of Halls Chophouse Columbia.
The 13th Annual World Food Championships are set for October 16-19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Team Lake Murray Country has competed for top honors and international recognition since 2022.
About World Food Championships
The World Food Championships (WFC) is the premier food sport competition globally. This multi-day, live culinary event showcases some of the world’s best cooks competing for food, fame, and fortune across multiple categories. Each year, thousands of teams vie for a coveted Golden Ticket at official qualifiers to earn their spot at WFC. Since its debut in 2012, the event has attracted participants from nearly 40 countries and every state in the U.S.
About Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board
CCLMC is the official source for all things Lake Murray Country. Explore The Top Southern Destinations of Columbia, Lake Murray, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, and Saluda. To plan your next trip, find information on attractions, dining, hotels, outdoor recreation, fishing, golf, and events. For more information about CCLMC, visit LakeMurrayCountry.com or call 803-781-5940 | 1-866-SC-JEWEL. Stay up-to-date with trip ideas, events, and more by following us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube.
