Gullah Geechee Sunday Supper with BJ Dennis

An afternoon of food, drink, tradition, and storytelling that honors Charleston’s Gullah Geechee heritage—and the people who keep it alive today.

Led by Chef BJ Dennis, this gathering invites guests to share in a meal that transcends the table. Each dish reflects the land, sea, and seasons of the Lowcountry, weaving in stories of ancestry, resilience, and identity that continue to shape Charleston’s foodways.

A native of Charleston, Mellon Fellow at Dillard University, and cultural torchbearer – Chef BJ Dennis has become a leading voice in the preservation and celebration of Gullah Geechee culture. Through his dedication to traditional techniques, heirloom ingredients, and oral history, he has brought national attention to the roots of Lowcountry cuisine. From Carolina Gold rice and benne seeds to okra soup and field peas, his cooking tells the story of a people whose knowledge, creativity, and endurance continue to define the region’s culinary identity.

From field to table, every element of the day embodies the deep ties between community and cuisine, honoring generations who have tilled, fished, cooked, and celebrated before us.

This is not just a meal, but a living conversation—an opportunity to listen, learn, and celebrate together in reverence of the roots that continue to nourish Charleston’s present and future.