Corporate Cooking
Competitions with Chef Roland

Southern x Southeast Asia:
Holy City Hot Fire Challenge

Cocktail Competition: Crafting the Perfect Charleston Cocktail

Guests will compete to craft the ultimate cocktail using an assortment of fresh ingredients, including fruit juices, kombucha, and exotic mixing elements. The star of the show will be a premium spiced rum, celebrating Charleston’s rich pirate and merchant heritage. Rum, once used as currency in Charleston, plays a significant role in the city's history, making it the perfect choice for this competition.

  • *Will include but not limited to:

    • Fresh Fruit Juices (Orange, Pineapple, Mango, etc.)

    • Kombucha (for a unique twist)

    • Local Honey, Spices, and Herbs

    • Spiced Rum (Premium Selection)

    • Exotic elements like Chili, Ginger, and Bitters

    • Guests will craft their cocktails from a curated bar, experimenting with flavors and presentation.

    • A panel of expert mixologists will judge the cocktails based on creativity, flavor balance, and visual appeal.

The Ultimate Pad Thai Challenge: Chopped Competition

In this challenge, guests will be tasked with creating the perfect fusion stir-fry entrée, combining Southern and Southeastern ingredients to craft a Pad Thai like no other. Each team will have access to a wide array of local ingredients, including premium Southern meats and a secret ingredient twist!

    • Burnt Ends Brisket

    • Slow-Smoked Pork

    • Peking-Style Duck Breast

    • Caviar

    • Local Produce (Heirloom Tomatoes, Collard Greens, Okra, etc.)

    • Pre-cooked Pad Thai Rice Noodles

    • Base Pad Thai Sauce

  • Charleston’s beloved "Southern Caviar" — boiled peanuts! Guests will have a variety of

    peanut elements to creatively incorporate into their dish, including:

    • Roasted Peanuts

    • Candy Peanuts

    • Peanut Brittle

    • Peanut Butter

    • Boiled Peanuts

    • Before the competition begins, Chef Roland will give a detailed breakdown of the competition structure.

    • He will lead a demonstration showcasing how to build the perfect pad Thai sauce and give tips on crafting the ideal stir-fry.

    • Each team will work together to integrate the secret ingredient (peanuts) into their dish.

    • After the cooking session, a panel of three local celebrity chefs will judge the dishes based on flavor, creativity, presentation, and use of the secret ingredient.

Chef Roland’s Special

After the competition, Chef Roland will present his own "South Meets Southeast Asian" fusion, Pad Thai, blending Charleston’s Southern flavors with the bold tastes of Southeast Asia. Following the competition, all creations will be served family-style, allowing all guests to sample the creative Pad Thai dishes alongside their crafted cocktails.