McCutchen House makes reservation with global chef competition

The University of South Carolina’s McCutchen House will host the final round of the World Food Championships between April 29 – May 1.

‘The Final Table,” the final level of competition, will bring in 10 chefs from around the United States to compete in cooking competitions at McCutchen House on the Historic Horseshoe. The top chef will be picked on May 1.

Since 2021, The World Food Championships attracted more than 1,500 cooks from 42 states and six countries during its tournament’s search for the best cooks and artisans around the world.

There will be three rounds of food competition inspired by farm-to-table cuisine. The World Food Championship is the largest food competition in the United States, where competitors come together for a chance at winning the “ultimate food crown” and a cash prize of $100,000.

“We are really excited to be partnering with such an up-and-coming culinary destination,” Mike McCloud, the CEO of World Food Championships, said in a news release.

After looking around different sites in Columbia to host the final round, McCloud selected McCutchen House to host the global competition. McCloud came to South Carolina and approved of the location. 

“The staff of Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board started a conversation with the WFC on helping our chefs/restaurants receive exposure and compete on a national level,” Vickie Davis, special events manager at Capital City/Lake Murray Country, said. 

McCloud has known about UofSC after vacationing in the state. It is not a new place to him and “he put two and two together,” said George Hendry, the director of the McCutchen House and Marriott Lab, a teaching space where UofSC students learn how to prepare foods.

“Some people know about the McCutchen House and the Horseshoe and others don’t,” Hendry said.

McCutchen House operates as a restaurant located on the university’s Historic Horseshoe and operates during the school year for students in the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management program to gain hands-on experience. 

Hendry thinks the competition will generate positive publicity for the university but will also benefit students in the HRSM College by helping set up for the competition and serving the judges. 

“I think we have Southern hospitality,” Hendry said. “We are proud of the way we work together. We don’t hide it.”

The project will follow the university’s COVID-19 guidelines so that means spectators will not be allowed inside McCutchen. But Hendry said he hopes the competition will be televised on the Horseshoe.

The competitors and their families will be treated to dinner the night before the competition in the garden area of the McCutchen House. This will include a farm-to-table style dinner for everyone involved, which is estimated to be around 100 people. 

“We are looking forward to a great turnout and some delicious food,” McCloud said.