Taste of the Upstate

Taste of the Upstate Presented by Samaritan Biologics

Sunday, May 3 • 11a – 2p • Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Each year, Loaves & Fishes hosts Taste of the Upstate, a beloved fundraising event that brings our community together in celebration of food as connection and sustenance.

During 2026, our 30th Annual Taste of the Upstate focused on the power of foodways to carry on family legacies with the theme of Traditions with a Twist.

Over 200 attendees joined us for “tastes” from some of Greenville’s finest chefs. Guests enjoyed a cooking competition among the Upstate’s most talented Chefs, sampled dishes from some of the best restaurants in Greenville, voted on their favorite dishes, and listened to a live musical performance by Greenville’s beloved Rhythm Jab, all held in a gorgeous indoor/outdoor venue making it the perfect spring event.

Served up with live music and a heaping portion of caring from our community, Taste of the Upstate uplifts those in our community who are most in need – with some of the best Chefs in the Upstate as the centerpiece.

Sample some of Greenville’s best bites all under one roof
Vote alongside our expert judges to choose the award-winning dishes
Enjoy live music
Support Loaves & Fishes’ mission to feed people not landfills

Interested in becoming a sponsor of our next Taste of the Upstate?
Click for more information!

Our 30th Annual Taste of the Upstate presented by Samarian Biologics is a celebration of local talent and culinary traditions – with a twist! Attendees will enjoy a symphony of flavors against a backdrop of high-energy beats from Greenville’s own award-winning Rhythm Jab.

At the heart of this event are over a dozen of the Upstate’s most talented Chefs competing for six (6) coveted awards including this year’s Traditions With a Twist Award given to the culinary artist whose dish meets the challenge by putting a unique spin on a traditional family favorite. This beloved community event offers a chance to sample food from some of the best restaurants in Greenville, vote on your favorite dish, and listen to a live musical performance by Rhythm Jab, all held in a gorgeous indoor/outdoor venue making it the perfect spring event.

Along with the Traditions with a Twist Award, Chefs will be competing for:

Best Sweet Dish Award
Best Savory Dish Award
Best Tablescape Award
People’s Choice Award
John DeJong Award for Overall Culinary Excellence
The John DeJong Culinary Excellence Award is presented in honor and memory of the former lead culinary judge of IFSEA. Chef DeJong was a beloved and treasured participant of Taste of the Upstate for many years so this award is very dear to those involved and is awarded for overall taste.

Enjoy some of Greenville’s best bites all under one roof
Vote alongside our expert judges to choose the award-winning dishes
Enjoy live music from Greenville’s own Rhythm Jab.
Support Loaves & Fishes’ mission to feed people not landfills

Tickets $75

Live Music with Rhythm Jab

Rhythm Jab, more than any band in Greenville, springs from a grassroots love of music from gospel and blues to rock & roll. These gorgeous voices lift up in something deeper than song, and you feel it as soon as the curtain rises. Ready to be part of the rhythm?

Competing Chefs

Meet last year’s winning Chefs!

Participating Restaurants of Taste of the Upstate 2026

Taste of the Upstate 2026 was Presented by Samaritan Biologics
& These Amazing Sponsors

2026 Award Winners

John DeJong Culinary Excellence
Chef Tania Cienfuegos Harris of Azucar Skull with her Pavlova with Tahini Cream, Passion Fruit Curd & Sesame Brittle.

People’s Choice
Chef Eugena Talley of The Herbal Farmercy with her vegan Braised Collards and Fried Grit Patty, Smothered in a Minced “Oxtail” Gravy and Lemon-Berry Cobbler.

Best Savory Dish
Chef Branden Hobbs of Bon Appetit Management Company at Furman University with his Seoul Crispy Chicken Sandwich.

Best Sweet Dish
Chef Tania Cienfuegos Harris of Azucar Skull with her Pavlova with Tahini Cream, Passion Fruit Curd & Sesame Brittle.

Best Traditions with a Twist
Chef Deborah Bouts of Sun Belly Cafe with her vegan Potato Skins Trio with fillings of Spinach Artichoke Dip, Roasted Red Pepper Soup, and Cooling Cabbage Salad.

Best Tablescape
Chef Deborah Bouts of Sun Belly Cafe.

2025 Award Winners

John DeJong Culinary Excellence
Chef Papi Bistro of Ink’d Chef with his Caribbean Mofongo Rice Bowl.

People’s Choice
Chef Rob Jansen of Bon Appetit Management Company at Furman University with his Upstate Southern Papusa, a Griddled Corn Cake Stuffed with Smoked Pulled Pork.

Best Savory Dish
Chef Vinnie Bienish, of The Cook’s Station with his Slow Roasted Italian Pork Belly Florentine on Crostini.

Best Sweet Dish
Chef Eugena Talley of The Herbal Farmercy with her Mississippi Mudslide Brownies.

Best Use of Locally Sources Ingredients
Chef Rob Jansen of Bon Appetit Management Company at Furman University with his Upstate Southern Papusa, a Griddled Corn Cake Stuffed with Smoked Pulled Pork.