Lifestyle

Lowcountry

Century Complete Announces New Community Near Savannah, Georgia

April 2, 2024 by 0 Comments
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RINCON, Ga., April 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS), one of the nation’s largest homebuilders and an industry leader in online home sales, has announced that its Century Complete brand is now selling at Pine Brook, a new community in Rincon featuring quality single-family floor plans, affordably priced from the low $300s.

Gardner Floor Plan | New Homes in Rincon, GA | Pine Brook by Century Complete
Gardner Floor Plan | New Homes in Rincon, GA | Pine Brook by Century Complete
Essex Floor Plan | New Homes Near Savannah, GA | Pine Brook by Century Complete
Essex Floor Plan | New Homes Near Savannah, GA | Pine Brook by Century Complete

Ideally situated just north of Savannah’s employment and entertainment hubs, and part of the sought-after Effingham County School District, Pine Brook offers three two-story floor plans with up to five bedrooms, three bathrooms and two-bay garages—all featuring modern open-concept layouts with attractive features like flex spaces, great rooms and more.

Learn more and explore available homes at www.CenturyCommunities.com/PineBrook.

“Pine Brook represents a natural continuation of our growth in Georgia, offering a selection of affordable and appealing floor plans in a prime location near Savannah,” said National President Greg Huff. “We’ve already seen strong interest at this community, with several homes under contract, so it’s a great time for buyers to explore available homes online and find their best fit while opportunities last.”

NEED IN-PERSON ASSISTANCE? VISIT OUR LOWCOUNTRY SALES STUDIO.

While our state-of-the-art online homebuying process allows you to buy on your terms—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year—we also offer in-person assistance from local experts at our Sales Studio in Pooler!

107 Central Boulevard
Pooler, GA 31322
912.335.3795

THE FREEDOM OF ONLINE HOMEBUYING

Century Complete is proud to feature its industry-first online homebuying experience on all available homes in Georgia, allowing homebuyers to easily find their best fit and purchase when they’re ready—all while continuing to work with their local real estate agent of choice. Homebuyers can further streamline the homebuying process by financing online with Century Complete’s affiliate lender, Inspire Home Loans®.

How it works:

  1. Shop homes at CenturyCommunities.com
  2. Click “Buy Now” on any available home
  3. Fill out a quick Buy Online form
  4. Electronically submit an initial earnest money deposit
  5. Electronically sign a purchase contract via DocuSign®

Learn more about the Buy Online experience at www.CenturyCommunities.com/online-homebuying.

About Century Communities

Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS) is one of the nation’s largest homebuilders and an industry leader in online home sales. Through its Century Communities and Century Complete brands, Century’s mission is to build attractive, high-quality homes at affordable prices to provide its valued customers with A HOME FOR EVERY DREAM®. Century is engaged in all aspects of homebuilding—including the acquisition, entitlement and development of land, along with the construction, innovative marketing and sale of quality homes designed to appeal to a wide range of homebuyers. The Company operates in 18 states and over 45 markets across the U.S., and also offers title, insurance and lending services in select markets through its Parkway Title, IHL Home Insurance Agency, and Inspire Home Loans subsidiaries. To learn more about Century Communities, please visit www.centurycommunities.com.

SOURCE Century Communities, Inc.

Lowcountry

Make Your Beach Visit a Breeze: Important Beach Park Tips from Charleston County Parks

April 2, 2024 by 0 Comments
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(CHARLESTON COUNTY) – With spring break upon us and summer just around the corner, many locals and tourists will soon flock to the Lowcountry’s beaches. Charleston County Parks encourages all beachgoers to familiarize themselves with important information and best practices to ensure the most enjoyable and safe time at our local beach parks.

The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) operates Folly Beach County Park, Isle of Palms County Park, and Kiawah Beachwalker Park. From spring break through September, the beaches are quieter on weekdays, with weekends, holidays and Fridays seeing large crowds. 

CCPRC encourages beachgoers to take note of the following tips and important information:

Park Capacity

While approaching the islands, CCPRC encourages drivers look for digital highway signs denoting beach park capacity. The capacity of the parking lot for CCPRC’s beach parks will be updated in real time by staff, so guests know before they reach the park if parking is full.

Kiawah Island

Kiawah Beachwalker Park has 150 parking spots and usually fills to capacity by 10:30 a.m. during the summer. The Town of Kiawah enforces a traffic ordinance that prohibits vehicles from idling or parking outside the entrance to Kiawah Beachwalker Park. If the park is full upon arrival, staff can add guests to a virtual line. Timely updates and text notifications alert customers as they move to the front of the queue. Parking for buses, RVs, and/or campers is never guaranteed, even on weekdays.

Isle of Palms

Isle of Palms County Park has 445 parking spots and usually fills to capacity by 10:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays, with spots becoming available again more consistently in the late afternoon. When the parking lot is full, police will allow up to about 20 vehicles to wait in line for spaces to open. Once the turn lane outside the park is full, police direct vehicles to keep moving to other parking areas not operated by CCPRC. Be aware of City of Isle of Palms parking ordinances. And note that there are only two lanes of traffic leaving Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island. On a crowded day, if weather or another event creates a reason for everyone to try leaving the islands at once, traffic will back up, and it could take up to two hours for the park to empty.

Folly Beach

Folly Beach County Park has 225 parking spots and usually fills to capacity by 10:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays, with spots becoming available again more consistently in the late afternoon. When the parking lot is full, look for City of Folly Beach parking lots on West Ashley Ave. to prevent blocking roads and driveways. Review City of Folly Beach parking ordinances in order to avoid being towed or ticketed.

Pets on the Beach

Pets must always remain leashed within the parks, and each municipality has their own ordinances pertaining to dogs on the beach:

City of Folly Beach, City of Isle of Palms, Town of Kiawah Island

Alcohol & Smoking

·         Possession or consumption of alcohol is not allowed at any of the beach parks.

·         Smoking, vaping and tobacco use are prohibited at CCPRC facilities, programs and events.

·         Additional beach park rules and information can be read on the parks’ webpages: https://ccprc.com/3222/Beach-Parks

Safety tips

·         Swim near a lifeguard when possible and obey their commands

·         Watch children at all times

·         Learn to identify a rip current and how to break free from one by swimming parallel to the shore (more info from USLA)

·         Seek shelter when lightning is in the area


Other Resources

Keep up to date on the latest beach traffic reports by downloading the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Government’s Beach Reach app, available for Apple and Android. Also consider taking CARTA’s Beach Reach Shuttle to Isle of Palms County Park.

For more information on Charleston County Parks beach parks and safety, call 843-795-4386 or visit CharlestonCountyParks.com (direct link to the beach park page: https://ccprc.com/3222/Beach-Parks).

The mission of CCPRC is to improve the quality of life in Charleston County by offering a diverse system of park facilities, programs and services. The large park system features over 11,000 acres of property and includes six regional parks, three beach parks, four seasonally-lifeguarded beach areas, three dog parks, two landmark fishing piers, three waterparks, 19 boat landings, a skate park, a historic plantation site, a climbing wall, a challenge course, an interpretive center, an equestrian center, cottages, a campground, a marina, as well as wedding, meeting and event facilities. CCPRC also offers a wide variety of recreational services – festivals, camps, classes, programs, and much more. For more information on CCPRC, call 843-795-4386, or visit www.charlestoncountyparks.com.

Lowcountry

The Dairy Alliance Supports Runners at Cooper River Bridge Run Expo

April 2, 2024 by 0 Comments
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Highlights dairy milk’s performance benefits and advocates for #TEAMMILK, April 4 -5

CHARLESTON, S.C., April 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Dairy Alliance, a nonprofit funded by dairy farmers in the Southeast, is heading to the races and will be supporting the Cooper River Bridge Run Expo in Charleston. The organization will have a presence at the two-day Bridge Run Expo preceding the race on April 4 and 5 at the Charleston Area Convention Center, 5001 Coliseum Dr., North Charleston, SC 29418.

“Running is one of the most practiced and accessible sports in the world, and dairy milk is a key player in this sport. Its nutrient profile makes it a powerhouse for training, hydration, and recovery for everyday athletes,” said Geri Berdak, Chief Executive Officer at The Dairy Alliance. “Milk provides performance benefits many runners look for through a unique nutrient package tailored for runners, including high-quality protein, electrolytes, B vitamins, vitamin D, and calcium, yet most runners do not include milk as part of their training nutrition. The Dairy Alliance is working to help change this!”

The race is a 10k walk-run that spans point to point from Mt. Pleasant to downtown Charleston. It also features a Kids Run and Family Festival. The run draws around 40,000 participants.

Visit and connect with registered dietitian, Tori Medelin, Director of Sports Nutrition at the College of Charleston, and The Dairy Alliance during the Bridge Run Expo on April 4 from Noon-8 p.m. or April 5 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. The pre-race expo features nearly 200 vendor booths, and The Dairy Alliance will be providing white milk, free giveaways, and nutrition information to attendees.

“This expo is one of a number of races that are leading up to Every Woman’s Marathon, an initiative led by MilkPEP. The Dairy Alliance is committed to showing up big for women and the race on April 6 is just the beginning,” added Berdak.

Fans can show their support Every Woman’s Marathon, designed to revolutionize the marathon landscape which has been historically male-centric, by joining #TEAMMILK. Simply, sign up for Every Woman’s Marathon, either as a runner or a supporter, and you can become part of the special #TeamMilk community. Visit https://everywomansmarathon.com to learn more.

For more information about The Dairy Alliance, visit https://thedairyalliance.com or follow them on Facebook or Instagram @TheDairyAlliance.

About The Dairy Alliance
The Dairy Alliance is a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families of the Southeast. We work diligently with dairy farmers, schools, sports teams, health professionals, local organizations, state leaders, the media, and the public to promote dairy foods and knowledge about the dairy industry. Our efforts center in eight states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedairyalliance
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedairyalliance/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thedairyalliance/

Media Contact
Kaitlyn Ianiro
Kaitlyn@inklinkmarketing.com
305.631.2283

SOURCE The Dairy Alliance

Lowcountry

SC Ports to Buy WestRock Site to Expand Port Capacity at North Charleston Terminal

April 2, 2024 by 0 Comments
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SC Ports to master plan infrastructure with SCDOT, Palmetto Railways

CHARLESTON, SC — MARCH 19, 2024 — With support from the state and unanimous approval from the SC Ports Board of Directors, SC Ports plans to purchase the former WestRock paper mill site in North Charleston to further expand port capacity at the Port of Charleston.

The SC Ports Board of Directors voted today to move forward with a purchase sales agreement with WestRock. The transaction is expected to close as soon as practical.

“The tremendous backing from our state and an excellent partnership with WestRock allows us to make investments today that will support our state’s economy and create opportunities for future generations of South Carolinians,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “We are adding significant port capacity to support growth in South Carolina and throughout the Southeast.”

The roughly 280-acre industrial waterfront property sits adjacent to North Charleston Terminal, offering a natural extension of the container terminal that will enable SC Ports to handle more cargo for port-dependent businesses.

The additional land will expand the terminal’s capacity to handle 5 million containers in the future, and create 5,000 feet of linear berth space for container ships and around 400 acres of terminal space for cargo.

“South Carolina’s economy is prospering, and we must continue to invest in our world-class port system to support the companies investing in our state,” Melvin said. “This is an incredible opportunity to enhance our high-performing North Charleston Terminal with renewed capacity to handle future growth.”

SC Ports plans to modernize the existing North Charleston Terminal with an optimized layout, upgraded cargo-handling equipment and significant new container capacity — yielding even more reliable, productive port service. Customers will also benefit from the on-terminal rail service offered by Palmetto Railways with dual connectivity to CSX and Norfolk Southern, and proximity to Interstate 526.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation is playing a pivotal role in the project. As part of its expansion of Interstate 526, SCDOT plans to replace the Don Holt Bridge, which will remove height constraints for larger vessels.

Plans are also moving forward to achieve a 52-foot depth up to North Charleston Terminal. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, has requested a feasibility study — a critical first step toward deepening this stretch of the Cooper River an additional five feet.

This deepening effort, combined with the new bridge height, will allow the biggest container ships calling the Port of Charleston to seamlessly access North Charleston Terminal.

“Modernizing the terminal, raising the Don Holt Bridge, deepening the Cooper River and purchasing the former WestRock property are all critical components that will yield a state-of-the-art North Charleston Terminal,” Melvin said. “These achievements would not be possible without the support and foresight from Governor Henry McMaster, SC House Speaker Murrell Smith, SC Senate President Thomas Alexander and the entire SC Legislature.”

The site also provides key support functions for Ingevity Corporation’s North Charleston manufacturing facility. SC Ports has been working closely with Ingevity to align their future needs during the transition.

SC Ports will work with SCDOT, Palmetto Railways, Ingevity and the City of North Charleston to master plan the infrastructure to best support the region’s economy and residents.

“This land purchase represents a tremendous opportunity to position our port system and our state competitively for decades to come,” SC Ports Board Chairman Bill Stern said. “Our port infrastructure investments directly support thousands of South Carolina companies that depend on SC Ports to do business, and we are expanding to ensure we have the capacity to handle the growth in the Southeast.”

Notable quotes from elected leaders:

“South Carolina Ports is widely known as a top driver of our state’s booming economy, but that success doesn’t come by accident — it takes timely, strategic investments like this one. Every time we invest in port infrastructure, we see significant success at port-dependent businesses and new, good-paying jobs for our people. Our state’s investment in the expansion of North Charleston Terminal will yield dividends and create opportunities for future generations.”
— Governor Henry McMaster

“An investment in our port system is an investment in South Carolina — unlocking more economic potential through new business and new jobs. This land purchase will enable SC Ports to expand the North Charleston Terminal, and the additional port capacity will make South Carolina even more competitive. This is a win for all South Carolinians.”
— SC House Speaker Murrell Smith

“Many of our industries rely on SC Ports to move their products to global markets. The expansion of the North Charleston Terminal is critical to supporting the efficient flow of goods throughout our state and ensuring we have ample port capacity to handle companies’ growth. Our commitment to build vital port infrastructure will ensure South Carolina remains globally competitive for decades to come.”
— Senator Larry Grooms, Chairman of the SC Senate Transportation Committee and the Review and Oversight Commission on the South Carolina State Ports Authority

“Investing in South Carolina’s ports ensures our state remains competitive on a global stage and it brings greater opportunities for our workforces. SC Ports supports 1 in 9 jobs in South Carolina, and the purchase of this property will benefit South Carolinians for decades to come.”
— Representative Bruce Bannister, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee

“The paper mill site has been in the fabric of our community for decades, helping support many generations of North Charleston families, including my own. As it transitions into a port terminal, we are eager to collaborate closely with South Carolina Ports to guarantee this site continues to be a cornerstone of economic vitality, all the while seamlessly integrating into the
community.”
— North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess

Notable quotes from partners:
“WestRock and its predecessor companies had a long history operating the North Charleston mill, and we greatly appreciate the contributions made by our team members over the years. We are pleased that SC Ports intends to transform the site into a world-class container terminal and continue to support the state’s economy and create jobs for South Carolinians.”
— WestRock President and CEO David Sewell
“We are excited to have SC Ports as the buyer of this site as we both strive to deploy innovative solutions to the marketplace and drive economic growth for South Carolina. We look forward to our continued partnership with SC Ports to master plan the site.”
— Ingevity President and CEO John Fortson
“We know how important it is to our thriving economy to ensure that goods can move efficiently across the state and region. We look forward to working closely with our state leaders, partners and SC Ports to further enhance our state’s infrastructure to benefit our state’s port system and the people of South Carolina.”
— SC Department of Transportation Secretary Christy A. Hall, P.E.

“SC Ports is an economic engine for our state, with an impact that touches nearly every industry. Thousands of South Carolina businesses depend on SC Ports to reach domestic and international markets every day. The expansion of the North Charleston Terminal and additional capacity at the Port of Charleston signals South Carolina’s emphasis on strategic growth to benefit both our economy and citizens, alike. We’re excited to see how SC Ports’ expanded capacity allows existing businesses to continue to thrive and encourages new industry to consider our state.”
— Harry M. Lightsey III, Secretary of Commerce

“As the Southeast economy and the Port of Charleston continue to grow, the demand for transporting more goods in and out of the Charleston region is increasing. SC Ports’ acquisition of the WestRock mill site and investment in the North Charleston Terminal and supporting infrastructure will add more fluidity and capacity to our regional supply chain as we handle more cargo by rail at the terminal and throughout the state.”
— Palmetto Railways President and CEO Patrick McCrory

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Lowcountry

The US has a record-high 550 ‘million-dollar’ cities – South Carolina ranked #12 for U.S. States

April 2, 2024 by 0 Comments
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Low inventory is keeping competition high and home values rising

  • There are currently 550 U.S. cities where the typical home value is $1 million or more, up from 491 a year ago.
  • California easily boasts the most million-dollar cities, followed by New York and New Jersey.
  • Florida, Texas and Delaware are the only states with a net loss in million-dollar cities over the past year.

SEATTLE, April 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. has a record-high 550 “million-dollar” cities — cities where the typical home is worth $1 million or more — a new Zillow® analysis shows. That is 59 more million-dollar cities than a year ago,1 reversing losses from when home values were wobbling this time last year.

Zillow logo (PRNewsfoto/Zillow Group)
Zillow logo (PRNewsfoto/Zillow Group)

A tight housing market with few homes available has kept home values rising, even while affordability challenges have hampered buyers. The good news for buyers in the market this home-shopping season is that new listings are on the rise as the effects of “rate lock” — occurring when homeowners are financially incentivized to keep their current home because of the low rate on their current mortgage — are weakening, and the hope for lower mortgage rates later this year may mean a second wave of buyer demand this summer.

“Affordability is still a big challenge for buyers, but that hasn’t stopped prices from growing,” said Anushna Prakash, an economic research data scientist at Zillow. “Buyers this spring are going to see more options to choose from, but they’ll also see a lot of other buyers wandering through the same open houses. Competition will stay fierce, especially for the most attractive and well-priced homes. If mortgage rates drop later this year, as many expect, we may see a surge in million-dollar cities as even more buyers jump in and drive prices higher.”

While million-dollar cities were affected more than the typical U.S. city when home values fell in late 2022, they have generally tracked with the national market over the past year. The typical U.S. home is worth 4.2% more than it was a year ago. In current million-dollar cities, the median year-over-year home value growth is 4.6%.

California is home to 210 million-dollar cities, more than the next five states combined. New Jersey has added the most million-dollar cities over the past year, gaining 14.

Florida, Texas and Delaware are the only states to have a net loss in million-dollar cities over the past year. Florida lost three million-dollar cities — Siesta Key, Santa Rosa Beach and Sanibel — while adding one, the Village of Palmetto Bay, near Miami. Texas lost two million-dollar cities in the Austin area, Sunset Valley and Volente, and added Bellaire, outside of Houston. The typical home in Delaware’s Dewey Beach fell below the million-dollar cutoff.

The New York City metro area, which includes parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, has the most million-dollar cities with 106 — 24 more than a year ago. San Francisco is next with 69, followed by Los Angeles with 63. Other than the New York City metro area, Los Angeles gained the most million-dollar cities over the past year, adding seven. Boston added four during that time, and San Diego, Chicago and San Luis Obispo each added three.

Whether a buyer or renter is searching for a home in a million-dollar city or somewhere with home values closer to average, Zillow has tools that can help.

An affordability calculator can help a buyer better understand what they can afford and set a budget. Buyers can then use Zillow to search for homes filtered for a monthly cost they are comfortable with, instead of only by list price. Buyers can also find and connect with a knowledgeable real estate professional and loan officer on Zillow to help guide them through the home-buying process.

Million-Dollar Cities by State
State$1 Million Cities – February 2024$1 Million Cities – February 2023
California210198
New York6654
New Jersey4935
Florida3234
Massachusetts3127
Colorado2121
Washington1816
Hawaii1716
Texas1415
Maryland108
Virginia75
South Carolina66
Connecticut65
Minnesota, Utah64
Illinois63
Missouri55
Nevada, North Carolina, Wyoming44
Montana43
Arizona42
Idaho, Tennessee33
New Hampshire32
Ohio22
Pennsylvania20
Delaware12
Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Rhode Island, Wisconsin11
Metro Areas With the Most Million-Dollar Cities
Metro Area$1 Million Cities
– February 2024		$1 Million Cities
– February 2023
New York, NY10682
San Francisco, CA6969
Los Angeles, CA6356
Boston, MA2319
San Jose, CA1818
Seattle, WA1715
Miami–Fort Lauderdale, FL1716
Washington, DC1412
San Diego, CA107
Santa Maria–Santa Barbara, CA; Santa Rosa, CA99

About Zillow Group:

Zillow Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: Z and ZG) is reimagining real estate to make home a reality for more and more people. As the most visited real estate website in the United States, Zillow and its affiliates help people find and get the home they want by connecting them with digital solutions, dedicated partners and agents, and easier buying, selling, financing and renting experiences.

Zillow Group’s affiliates, subsidiaries and brands include Zillow®, Zillow Premier Agent®, Zillow Home Loans℠, Trulia®, Out East®, StreetEasy®, HotPads®, ShowingTime+℠, Spruce® and Follow Up Boss®.

All marks herein are owned by MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate. Zillow Home Loans, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #10287 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). © 2023 MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate.

1 February 2023 Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) figures are unavailable for 11 cities with ZHVI above $1 million for February 2024.

SOURCE Zillow

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Lowcountry

Food & Wine Announces Winners of Its 2024 Global Tastemakers Awards – Congratulations Chubby Fish and Charleston, SC

April 2, 2024 by 0 Comments
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Honoring the Best Culinary Travel Experiences Domestically and Abroad: Restaurants, Cities, Bars, Hotels, Airlines, Cruises, Airports, Coffee, Bakeries and More

Charleston, South Carolina named #6 Top U.S. City for Food and Drink and Chubby Fish named 7th Top Restaurant in the U.S.

NEW YORK, April 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — FOOD & WINE announces its 2024 Global Tastemakers awards, a celebration of the best food and drink experiences and destinations in the U.S. and abroad. From the best restaurants and bars to the best cities, hotels, cruises, airports, and airlines for food and drink, the results were curated and ranked by respected food and travel experts from around the globe in collaboration with FOOD & WINE editors. The complete lists and awards methodology are now featured on foodandwine.com/globaltastemakers with highlights in the May issue of FOOD & WINE, on newsstands April 19.

May 2024 Issue Food & Wine Cover
May 2024 Issue Food & Wine Cover

“From a boundary-pushing pizzeria in Caserta, Italy, to a family-owned Thai restaurant in Los Angeles and a fresh new Mexican-American cocktail bar pulsating with its own rhythm in New York City, this list spotlights the finest culinary experiences around the world,” said FOOD & WINE Editor in Chief Hunter Lewis. “Each winner of our Global Tastemakers offers a thoughtful and passionate approach to cuisine, hospitality, and a true taste of place that will inspire readers to book their next trip.”

This year’s results reveal a surprising mix of honorees in the Best International Restaurants rankings, with Mérito in Lima, Peru, taking the top spot, followed by Peterman in Sydney and SodaBottleOpenerWala in Mumbai, ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. Domestically, small cities made their mark with Charleston, South Carolina, and Portland, Maine, among the top 10 U.S. Cities for Food and Drinks. On the Best U.S. Cities for Bakeries list, Indianapolis captured the Plus One designation, an editors’ pick for honorable mentions of up-and-coming spots they don’t want readers to miss. A majority of the Best Hotels in the U.S. for Food and Drinks are almost exclusively outside of big cities, aside from Honolulu and New Orleans.

FOOD & WINE editors introduced the 2024 Global Tastemakers awards on foodandwine.com, saying: “We’re here to celebrate the culinary experiences that draw us to a destination from those life-affirming meals that define a trip to creatively crafted cocktails that elevate an evening with every sip, standout culinary offerings at hotels to unforgettable bites on cruises — the flavors we can’t wait to share with fellow travelers.”

FOOD & WINE Global Tastemakers 2024 highlights are as follows:

TOP 10 U.S. CITIES FOR FOOD AND DRINKS
1. New York City                                        
2. New Orleans                        
3. Chicago                       
4. Austin, Texas                                         
5. Los Angeles                                             
6. Charleston, South Carolina                                             
7. Miami                  
8. Washington, D.C.                                                
9. Portland, Maine                                    
10. Honolulu, Hawai

TOP 10 INTERNATIONAL CITIES FOR FOOD AND DRINKS
1. Tokyo, Japan
2. Istanbul, Turkey
3. Mexico City, Mexico
4. Paris, France
5. Lima, Peru
6. Rome, Italy
7. Singapore
8. Copenhagen, Demark
9. Osaka, Japan
10. Madrid, Spain

TOP 20 U.S. RESTAURANTS
1. Anajak Thai in Los Angeles
2. Aragosta in Deer Isle, Maine                                    
3. Semma in New York City                                     
4. Birdie’s in Austin, Texas                                   
5. Kasama in Chicago                                               
6. Damian in Los Angeles              
7. Chubby Fish in Charleston, South Carolina                         
8. Daru in Washington, D.C.                                     
9. Bell’s in Los Alamos, New Mexico                       
10. Kann in Portland, Oregon                                 
11. Locust in Nashville, Tennessee 
12. Naro in New York City
13. Leah and Louise in Charlotte, North Carolina
14. March in Houston, Texas
15. Maty’s in Miami
16. Kin in Boise, Idaho
17. Nixta Taqueria in Austin, Texas
18. Mister Jiu’s in San Francisco
19. Tatiana in New York City
20. Mosquito Supper Club in New Orleans

BEST OVERALL U.S. WINNERS 
BEST U.S. RESTAURANT: Anajak Thai, Los Angeles
BEST CITY IN THE U.S. FOR FOOD AND DRINKS: New York City
BEST CITY IN THE U.S. FOR BAKERIES: New York City
BEST HOTEL IN THE U.S. FOR FOOD AND DRINKS: Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tennessee
BEST U.S. HOTEL BAR: Silver Lyan, Washington, D.C.
BEST BAR IN THE U.S.: Superbueno, New York City

BEST OVERALL INTERNATIONAL WINNERS
BEST INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANT: Mérito, Lima, Peru
BEST INTERNATIONAL HOTEL FOR FOOD AND DRINKS: The Lodhi, New Delhi, India
BEST CITY FOR COFFEE: Copenhagen, Denmark         
BEST INTERNATIONAL CITY FOR BAKERIES: Paris
BEST MARKET FOR FOOD AND DRINKS: La Boqueria, Barcelona, Spain 
BEST INTERNATIONAL HOTEL BAR: Connaught Bar, London
BEST INTERNATIONAL BAR: Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
BEST AIRLINE FOR FOOD AND DRINKS: Emirates Airways                                                   
BEST AIRPORT FOR FOOD AND DRINKS: Changi, Singapore
BEST INTERNATIONAL CITY FOR FOOD AND DRINKS: Tokyo
BEST CRUISE LINE FOR FOOD AND DRINKS: Silversea  

The 2024 FOOD & WINE Global Tastemakers awards were voted on by 180 food and travel writers from across the globe and ranked by an expert judging panel. To access the methodology and the full list and descriptions of the honorees, please visit foodandwine.com/globaltastemakers and on Instagram @foodandwine.

Capital One is the presenting sponsor of the FOOD & WINE 2024 Global Tastemakers awards.

About FOOD & WINE
Food & Wine celebrates the global epicurean experience with its award-winning magazine, website, social platforms, newsletters, podcasts, premium events such as the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, and accolades like its annual Best New Chef awards. With rigorously tested recipes and the most trusted restaurant, drinks, culinary travel, and home coverage, the brand inspires and empowers people to discover, create, and devour the best in food and drink—every day and everywhere. FOOD & WINE is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.

SOURCE Dotdash Meredith

Lowcountry

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream Is Launching 4 Intergalactic Ice Cream Flavors Just in Time for the Solar Eclipse

April 1, 2024 by 0 Comments
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Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is bringing outer space to scoop shops across the country with its brand-new LTO collection, Punk Stargonaut, launching today!

Ahead of this natural phenomena, Jenis is taking ice cream lovers on a flight through the galaxy with four cosmic ice creams and edible space dust! 

Three NEW Flavors

  • Nebula Berry – tart like a blueberry and vibrant like a raspberry with an elderflower fragrance
  • Cosmic Bloom – a tropical delicacy, citrusy like a mandarin, refreshing like a kiwi, and punchy like passion fruit
  • Purple Star Born – reminiscent of Concord grape and puckery-like blackcurrants – intensely juicy

A Fourth Flavor – returning for a victory lap around earth

  • Supermoon – created from the moon dust that glitters in the sky during a harvest supermoon + tastes like candied violet and marshmallows 

Space-Themed Topping

  • Space Dust (NEW) – an LTO fizzy popping candy topping from a distant galaxy for a flavor explosion that rocks

Additionally, in local scoop shops, Jeni’s will be offering exclusive branded eclipse glasses, complimentary with purchase beginning the weekend of April 5th. As an extra treat, customers can enhance their favorite Punk Stargonaut flavor(s) with Space Dust for just $0.50. And mark your calendars for eclipse day (April 8), when Space Dust will be free with any Punk Stargonaut flavor purchase!

Stay connected and subscribe to Charleston Daily.

Lowcountry

On This Day in Charleston History: April 1, 1960 – Burke High School Kress Building Sit-In

April 1, 2024 by 1 Comment
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The Burke High School Kress building sit-in occurred inspired by similar actions across the nation and marked the beginning of the local Charleston Movement.

It began when 24 students from Burke High School marched into the S.H. Kress building (present-day H&M) and sat at the lunch counter to protest Jim Crow apartheid segregation laws. Multiple attempts were made by the staff to remove the students, including removing stools and scrubbing ammonia on the lunch counter to discourage any additional protestors.

A few hours later, management reported a fake bomb threat to police. Despite police orders to evacuate the building, the students remained seated. Ultimately, leading to the students’ arrest and trespassing charges.

The following students were involved in the sit-in: John Bailey, James Gilbert Blake, Jenniesse Blake, Andrew Brown, Deloris Brown, Minerva Brown, Charles Butler, Mitchell Christopher, Allen Coley, Corelius Fludd, Harvey Gantt, Joseph Gerideau, Kennett Andrew German, Cecile Gordon, Annette Graham, Alfred Hamilton, Caroline Jenkins, Francis Johnson, Joseph Jones, Alvin Delford Latten, Verna Jean McNeil, David Paul Richardson, Arthur Singleton, and Fred Smalls.

Image 1: Burke High School students at the S.H. Kress sit-in, April 1, 1960. From left to right: Alvin Latten, David Richardson, Verna Jean McNeil, Minerva Brown King, and Fred Smalls (Photograph by Bill Jordan, courtesy of the Post & Courier)

Image 2: S.H. Kress store on King Street, Charleston, SC, ca. 1960 (Avery Photograph Collection, folder 30-41)

Story courtesy of Avery Research Center, College of Charleston

Lowcountry

10 Reasons Charleston, SC Area Traffic is Concerning and How to Adjust

April 1, 2024 by 3 Comments
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By Mark A. Leon

Whether you live in the Tri-County or plan to move here and you are embarking on your research, you have heard the anecdotal comments on social media outlets about how bad the traffic is in the Lowcountry .

We feel there needs to be more context to truly understand the concerns and potential dangers.

It is not new to anyone that South Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the U.S. and Charleston is the heart of this growth with residency and new housing stretching to the coastal regions and west bound.  

Let us dig a little deeper and provide the specific issues that are causing the “traffic” pain points.

  1. Charleston is becoming a hot region for retirees.  Older cautious drivers will continue to be a major part of the driving population during daylight and early evening hours.  Many will drive at or under the speed limit and make mistakes feeling the pressures from other drivers.  
  2. It is common for drivers to  come to an almost complete stop to make a right turn off a major roadway.  Be prepared and keep a safe distance.
  3. On major two-lane roads, it is normal behavior to see drivers at or just above the speed limit in the left lane.  The traditional thinking that the left lane is for passing only is not as prevalent in the Lowcountry.
  4. Intersection traffic lights are timed out based on daily traffic patterns.  For example, if you are at a light looking to turn into a major roadway during rush hour, you may wait 4 minutes and your light will remain green for less than 10 seconds.  These patterns do force some drivers to turn after the turn even after the signal goes red to avoid the long waits.  The Lowcountry transportation commission has built in a 2 second delay with most signal changes.
  5. Lane changing signals are sparsely used so don’t take it personally.
  6. Structurally, we are an intracoastal community with roads designed to have traffic limits.  As we continue to grow, we will test those limits.  If you are on a bridge or downtown, leave space between cars if you don’t understand the roads.
  7. We have drawbridges.  Remember that a boat will stop traffic both ways and you will need to be prepared for these stoppages.
  8. With continuous commercial and residential development, port deliveries, landscaping and festivals/events heavy commercial trucks and vehicles are on the roads all hours of the day.
  9. Rolling stops are very common and pose one of the greatest dangers for pedestrians.
  10. Charleston is one of the hottest tourist destinations in the nation and lately, there isn’t even much of an off-season.  First time or infrequent visitors do not know the Charleston roads.  They will daydream, make illegal turns in the middle of the road, and potentially put other cars in harm’s way.  Be careful.

If you understand these specific behaviors and make proper adjustments, you will be safer on the roads and hopefully we can all be respectful of one another as we look for solutions to the changing demographics and population growth.

Lowcountry

My Favorite Brunch Entree in Charleston, SC? Tortang Talong at Kultura

March 30, 2024 by 1 Comment
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By Mark A. Leon

Brunch has its own culture in Charleston, South Carolina. It is a competition to please the palate by exploring the depths of culinary arts with science, experimentation and life experience. Each weekend, is a journey to please our inner foodie, drink a cocktail and share our weekly adventures with family and friends.

At Kultura, located at 73 Spring Street, Charleston, SC, Executive Chef Nikko Cagalanan has crafted a menu that challenges you to go beyond your comfort zone to a place of pure joy. From the moment you walk in and smell the sweet aroma of the pastries to your last bite that lingers long after you walk down Spring Street, Kultura is a brunch experience to be savored.

After I sat outside on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, I started with the jasmine latte that hit the mark. The sun offered the right amount of warmth and the conversation the right amount of stimulating dialogue to compliment my caffeine crave. As I mulled through the brunch menu, I recalled an omelet I had while in Manila for three weeks that still remains in my thoughts to this very day. I had to see how Chef Nikko put his spin on their brunch omelet and wow did it exceed my wildest expectations.

The Tortang Talong is an eggplant omelet, banana ketchup aioli, sweet soy, and caviar with a side of sticky rice. On paper it sounded delicious, but on the tabletop in front of me was a work of art.

Every bite was its own wonder and an explosion of flavor. The eggplant was spread evenly within the omelet and the drizzle of aioli and caviar was so carefully topped that it looked like painting and the plate, its canvas (as you can see here).

Thank you to Chef Nikko, our charming and delightful server and the entire team at Kultura. A true must for any foodie!

Kultura is opening Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday 5:00 PM – 10:00 and Saturday & Sunday for brunch from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. They are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tortang Talong

Long-Silog