One of South Carolina’s most anticipated food events, the Taste of Lake Murray, has been named as a Super Regional Qualifier for the world’s largest Food Sport event, World Food Championships (WFC).

Through this regional gateway program, the event will qualify six local South Carolina chefs as the first-ever Team Lake Murray Country, which will then compete at WFC’s 9th Annual Main Event, November 5-7, in Dallas, Texas, where more than $300,000 in prize money is up for grabs.

“We really look forward to learning more about the cuisine and talent from Lake Murray Country,” said Mike McCloud, WFC President and CEO. “These strategic qualifiers not only highlight the great local cuisine from America’s diverse regions, but they end up giving new groups of chefs and cooks a chance to develop life-long friends at WFC that share the same passion and purpose of food through competition.”

The May 6th Taste of Lake Murray event, presented by Lexington Medical Center, is an intense culinary battle that will challenge local restaurants to create their best dish. The chefs are expected to create samples for the event’s 800 patrons, all of whom will become the actual judges for the event through a ‘people’s choice’ voting scenario.
The event will be held from 6:00pm – 11:00pm EST and is hosted at DoubleTree by Hilton in Columbia, SC. Starting at 8pm EST, guests will be asked to participate in a “Golden Hour” of voting –– where they will be choosing the six finalists by voting for their favorite dish of the night.

The current list of Taste of Lake Murray participating restaurants include:
8th Wonder Cuisine
Alodia’s Cucina Italiana
Bistro on the Boulevard
Blue Marlin Steaks & Seafood
Columbo’s Restaurant
Figaro the Dining Room
Griffin Chophouse
Juniper
Lick Ice Cream
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Perfectly Plated
RF’s Corner Grill
Steelhorse Smokehouse
Wings & Ale at The Dam

Due to COVID, this event will have limited/reserved mixed seating and masks will be required. Attendees will also be asked to sign a COVID waiver before entering.
Tickets are available at lakemurraycountry.com/product/taste-of-lake-murray. Profits will be used for the Annual July 4th fireworks on Lake Murray.

More information on Taste of Lake Murray can be found at tasteoflakemurray.com.
In the meantime, stay up-to-date on all things Food Sport, follow the World Food Championships on Twitter (@WorldFoodChamp), Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships).

About World Food Championships

The World Food Championships (WFC) is the highest stakes food competition in the world. This multi-day, live event culinary competition showcases some of the world’s best cooks who compete for food, fame and fortune in 10 categories (Bacon, Barbecue, Burger, Chef, Dessert, Recipe, Sandwich, Seafood, Soup and Steak). In 2019, more than 450 culinary teams from 11 countries and 42 American states competed in WFC’s Main Event. In August, the 10 Category Champs went head-to-head for a $100,000 bonus that determined a new World Food Champion in a TV special called The Final Table: Indianapolis. While contestants have to earn their way into WFC by winning a Golden Ticket at a previous competition, potential judges are welcome to take WFC’s online certification course that explains the E.A.T. methodology. Certified judges then request and receive available seats at the next scheduled WFC event. Click here to learn more about getting certified.

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