Team Lake Murray Country will return to the World Food Championships (WFC), on November 9-12, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. The WFC is the largest Food Sports competition, where grand champions of previous events convene for a chance at winning the ultimate food crown and a share of hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money! More than 450 teams from 40 states and 10 countries are expected to participate in this year’s tournament, which will feature 10 categories of food.
Team Lake Murray Country’s Chefs were selected via popular vote at Capital City/Lake Murray Country’s (CCLMC) annual Taste of Lake Murray (TOLM) 4th of July Celebration fundraising event on March 2, 2023. Since 2021, the TOLM event has been deemed a “Super Regional Qualifier” for the WFC.
“We’re excited to send these top 3 chefs to the World Food Championships to represent Lake Murray Country,” said Miriam Atria, President/CEO of CCLMC. “This is an amazing opportunity for the region and for the state of South Carolina. We are thrilled to bring South Carolina’s cuisine to the world stage for a third year in a row!”
The 2023 Lake Murray Country Team is:
· Chef, Chris Williams
Owner and Chef of Roy’s Grille & BBQ, Inc. and 2022 South Carolina Chef Ambassador.
Competition Category: Sandwich
“It feels amazing to have the opportunity to once again represent Team Lake Murray Country, my restaurant, and my brand at the 2023 WFC. It felt incredible to place in the top ten last year, but this year I’m looking for gold!!!”
· Chef, Maegan Horton
Executive Chef of Blue Marlin Restaurant
Competition Category: Seafood
“I’m honored to compete against some of the world’s greatest chefs at the World Food Championships! I look forward to competing again this year and making great relationships.”
· Chef, Michael Ellis
Director of Culinary Services for Smoked, The Grand, The Main Course, Good Life Cafe, The Players Club, Peak Drift Brewing
Competition Category: Chef
“Competing in the World Food Championship is a great honor. I look forward to the challenge of competing against the best chefs in the country! I will represent my company and myself in the best way possible. My goal is to win first place and to have a great time doing it!”
The winner of each category will advance to the Final Table, where the top 10 chefs will compete for first place and $100,000 in prize money. In April 2022, Capital City/Lake Murray Country hosted the Final Table in Columbia at USC’s McCutchen House. Learn more about the Team Lake Murray Country Chefs by visiting: lakemurraycountry.com/meet-team-lake-murray-country-2023/
