Louis Osteen, Culinary Icon

Written By: Jenny King | Issue: 2018/10 - October

Highlands Food & Wine Festival, with support from Southern Foodways Alliance, presents an extraordinary evening of film and flavor to honor Southern culinary icon Louis Osteen.

A native of Anderson, in the upstate of South Carolina, Louis Osteen is one of the leading champions of Lowcountry cuisine.  Highlands Food & Wine Festival will celebrate his life-long legacy at The Farm at Old Edwards Inn & Spa, October 8.  Participants will view the official premiere of the documentary short, “The Many Lives of Louis Osteen,” produced by Southern Foodways Alliance, and experience an All-Star Dinner featuring the talents of Osteen’s many friends.

On the roster for the evening are Dickie Brennan of Dickie Brennan & Company; Sean Brock from Nashville, Tennessee; Shelley Cooper from Dancing Bear Lodge; John Fleer of Iron & Clay, Rhubarb, The RHU; Mike Lata, of FIG and The Ordinary; Bill Smith, from Crook’s Corner; and Frank Stitt, with Highlands Bar & Grill.

The fête will honor Osteen’s contributions to the Southern culinary landscape throughout his illustrious 35-year career.  He has constantly been a voice for the flavors of the region.

“I think a lot of people have dismissed the South as a wasteland, but it’s really significant.  I think the South has given this country its best regional food,” he explains.

Osteen has created many well-known dining destinations over the years, from Charleston Grill, Pawleys Island Inn, Louis’s Las Vegas, Louis’s of Sanford, and Fish Camp Bar; and his prowess in the kitchen is well-known.

His dedication to rising star chefs includes many hours of mentorship to a host of award-winning talent, including those in attendance on October 8.  Other notable guests include Southern Foodways Alliance Director John T. Edge.

Tickets are $275 per person and will include a four-course dinner prepared by the featured chefs named above, wine pairings, live music, and viewing of film.  Tickets and complete event information can be found at HonorLouis.com

This event is a Highlands Food & Wine production.  Highlands Food & Wine Festival takes place November 8-11 and is a 501(c)(3) organization. For tickets and more information on Highlands Food & Wine, visit HighlandsFoodandWine.co