Chef Chris Williams of Roy’s Grille in Irmo and Chef Chris Kravitz of Halls Chophouse in Columbia, have been selected to join Team Lake Murray Country at the World Food Championships after winning the People’s Choice vote at Taste of Lake Murray.
Held March 27 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia, Taste of Lake Murray served as the South Carolina Super Regional Qualifier event for the World Food Championships. The event drew food lovers from across the region, who cast their votes to determine the two chefs who would represent Team Lake Murray Country at the 2025 World Food Championships (WFC) in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Williams is no stranger to the world stage. As the owner and chef of Roy’s Grille and a 2022 South Carolina Chef Ambassador, he has represented Team Lake Murray Country at the World Food Championships since 2023, achieving 13th place in the Rice category in 2024 and 2nd place in the Sandwich category in 2023.
For Boston native, Kravitz, this marks his first appearance at the competition. Kravitz honed his culinary expertise in Boston restaurants and further refined his craft in Paris. In 2021, he moved to Columbia to serve as Executive Chef at California Dreaming, and in 2024, he was named Executive Chef of Halls Chophouse Columbia.
The 13th Annual World Food Championships are set for October 16-19 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Team Lake Murray Country has competed for top honors and international recognition since 2022.
Feature Photo: Pictured (left to right): Chef Chris Williams, owner of Roy’s Grille, and Sous Chef Tanner Balint (accepting on behalf of Executive Chef Chris Kravitz) of Halls Chophouse hold the Golden Ticket to the World Food Championships.
