Heirlooms in the Kitchen

• SUPPORTED BY
  The Local Palate

Kevin Mitchell—chef, historian, educator, and author—is no stranger to teaching the fundamentals of cooking through the lens of history, culture, and preservation. Join us in the kitchen for a deep dive into Lowcountry heirloom grains, whose rediscovery and preservation over the past several years have become a defining milestone in Charleston’s culinary evolution. From Carolina Gold Rice to Jimmy Red Corn, you’ll explore how these uniquely Southern ingredients were rediscovered, preserved, and reintroduced to kitchens across the region.

Learn about the pivotal work of Dr. David Shields, whose decades-long dedication to documenting and conserving heirloom grains has left a lasting legacy on Charleston’s food scene, and discover the role Kevin has played in carrying that work forward—bringing these grains from field to plate, teaching chefs and home cooks alike how to celebrate them in modern cooking.

Tie your apron strings and put on your thinking cap for one delicious, educational, and hands-on journey into the past, present, and future of Charleston’s culinary heritage—because understanding and preserving these heirlooms is about more than flavor, it’s about safeguarding a vital piece of our region’s food story.

Hands-on Classes take place at Culinary Institute of Charleston Palmer Campus (downtown Charleston) in a teaching commercial kitchen. All Charleston Wine + Food classes are led by a chef or expert and our guests get involved in the fun. Hands-on classes are supported by Culinary Institute Culinary Arts students and Culinary Institute of Charleston faculty to ensure that your experience is top-notch. Classes are complimented with paired beverage offerings and a spread to enjoy the fruits of your labor. 

As part of our continuing education + workforce development initiatives, Charleston Wine + Food provides scholarships and funding to support Culinary Institute of Charleston students. Your ticket purchase is vital to our partnership with Culinary Institute of Charleston. Charleston Wine + Food has donated over $500,000 to culinary + hospitality scholarships and charitable initiatives since 2006.