Chef Tina McCard of The Chef Aquatic
In an industry that often overlooks them, Charleston’s top female chefs are stepping into the spotlight — quite literally. On May 19th, organized by local Chef Tina McCard of The Chef Aquatic and hosted by local chefs Katie Williams & Andrea Pharris of The Chef’s Collective has teamed up with Funky Chef, the trailblazing women’s chef wear brand, is hosting “Our Table: Empowering Female Chefs x Charleston” — a one-day event offering headshots, networking, and community for 30+ women in culinary.
Held at Chef's Collective, the event features professional photography by acclaimed culinary photographer Kate Blohm, discounted Funky Chef jackets designed exclusively for women, and the kind of creative energy too often missing in male-dominated kitchens.
“Most women in culinary don’t have a great headshot. But they should,” says Funky Chef founder Hannah Staddon, who launched the brand after years of tailoring ill-fitting jackets to fit her pear-shaped figure. “Visibility leads to opportunity. This is about changing the narrative.”
“This is more than a photoshoot,” says Hannah. “It’s a movement to amplify female chefs who have been left out of the narrative for too long. We're giving them the tools — and the stage — to be seen and celebrated.”
Following a sold-out debut in the British Virgin Islands, this marks Funky Chef’s second “Our Table” event — part of a growing series spotlighting women chefs across the country.